Pharmacist Salary in Tukwila, WA: $148,734 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Tukwila, WA earns a median $148,734/year (≈ $71.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Tukwila's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $138,486 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tukwila, Washington, pharmacists can expect a median annual salary of $148,734 in 2026, which is slightly above the projected national median of $143,489, reflecting a local market that offers attractive compensation. The salary range for this profession in Tukwila runs from $114,176 at the 10th percentile to $171,941 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale influenced by various practice settings. Those in hospital clinical specialist roles typically earn on the higher end, benefitting from the complex demands of inpatient care, while retail pharmacists assume a different financial trajectory, often depending on their specific positions and stores. These projections derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic factors, presenting a clear picture of the pharmacist salary in Tukwila.
About the Tukwila Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $114,176 | $54.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $138,299 | $66.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,734 | $71.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,685 | $79.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,941 | $82.67 |
Median Salary Position
3.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tukwila
In Tukwila, WA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,765 (2026 est.). At $148,734, the local median is 3.66% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tukwila: You'd be above the median
How Tukwila Pharmacist Pay Compares
Tukwila median: $148,734/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tukwila Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $160,967 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +3.66% more |
Pharmacists in Tukwila, WA earn a median of $148,734 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.66% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 7.60% below the Washington state average of $160,967.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tukwila has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tukwila, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $148,734 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $138,486 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,772
2025 BLS Actual
$146,061
2026 Current Est.
$148,734
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Tukwila (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,772 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,415 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,603 | Actual |
| 2023 | $141,003 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,944 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,061 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,734 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,456 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tukwila metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $132,772 (2019) to $146,061 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,456 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,684 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tukwila metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $114,176 – $138,299 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $138,299 – $148,734 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,734 – $165,685 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,685 – $171,941 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Tukwila
Despite the promising numbers, it’s essential to consider the broader economic context of Tukwila, where only four pharmacists are currently employed, indicating a relatively small job market. The area's cost of living index sits at 107.4, slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home pay and overall living standards for pharmacy professionals. Among competing employers, inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies often offer higher wages than traditional retail settings such as CVS or Walgreens. Factors contributing to the wage variance include the level of certification, shift differentials in retail, and the push for residency training, particularly for PGY-1 and PGY-2 graduates. As retail chains continue to consolidate, those pharmacists looking to maximize their salary should seek opportunities within hospitals or specialty practices, where demand is growing, and consider obtaining board certifications to enhance their job prospects and earning potential in Tukwila, WA.
More salary data for Tukwila, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $146,061 for pharmacistsin the Tukwila metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tukwila is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov