Pharmacist Salary in Tumwater, WA: $159,139 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Tumwater, WA earns a median $159,139/year (≈ $76.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Tumwater's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $148,174 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tumwater, Washington, the pharmacist salary is notably high, with a median annual compensation of $159,139 projected for 2026. The salary range for pharmacists in the area extends from $111,371 at the 10th percentile to $197,819 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight the diversity in earnings largely influenced by the structural differences between roles. Pharmacists working as clinical specialists in hospitals tend to earn more compared to those in retail positions, such as pharmacists in charge (PIC) or staff pharmacists in community settings. As Tumwater's job market reflects these dynamics, understanding the compensation landscape is critical for current and prospective pharmacy professionals in the area.
About the Tumwater Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $111,371 | $53.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $150,679 | $72.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,139 | $76.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,538 | $84.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,819 | $95.11 |
Median Salary Position
10.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tumwater
In Tumwater, WA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,448 (2026 est.). At $159,139, the local median is 10.91% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tumwater: You'd be above the median
How Tumwater Pharmacist Pay Compares
Tumwater median: $159,139/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tumwater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $160,909 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +10.91% more |
Pharmacists in Tumwater, WA earn a median of $159,139 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.91% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.10% below the Washington state average of $160,909.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tumwater has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tumwater, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,139 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,174 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$142,061
2025 BLS Actual
$156,279
2026 Current Est.
$159,139
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Tumwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $142,061 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,748 | Actual |
| 2021 | $142,593 | Actual |
| 2022 | $147,229 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,867 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,279 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,139 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $162,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tumwater metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $142,061 (2019) to $156,279 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $162,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,990 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tumwater 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) | $111,371 – $150,679 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $150,679 – $159,139 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,139 – $175,538 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,538 – $197,819 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Tumwater
For the six pharmacists currently employed in Tumwater, the local job market presents a blend of opportunities and challenges. Given that the cost of living index is at 107.4, these pharmacists may find that their purchasing power is slightly impacted, despite higher wages. Retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens offer competitive salaries, particularly for PIC roles, while hospital inpatient pharmacies tend to provide higher pay scales, particularly for those with specific board certifications or residency training. Factors such as shift differentials and the impact of ongoing retail chain consolidation further create a wide pay spread among pharmacists. To maximize earnings, aspiring pharmacists should consider pursuing advanced certifications, leveraging residency training, and targeting employment with hospital systems or specialty pharmacies, which are positioned to experience growth as traditional retail roles contract.
More salary data for Tumwater, 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 $156,279 for pharmacistsin the Tumwater 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 Tumwater 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