Pharmacists Salary
The median pay for a pharmacists in Washington is $160,610/year ($77.22/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $126K at the entry level to $205K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $157,445 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 17.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $161K get you in Washington?
About pharmacists
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for pharmacists, local pay runs about 14% higher than the U.S. median of $141K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 18.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for pharmacistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level pharmacists (10th percentile) start around $126K. Mid-career wages sit at $161K. Top earners bring in $205K or more, a $79K spread from bottom to top.
Pharmacists salary by metro in Washington
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longview-Kelso | $173K | +7% | 70 |
| Walla Walla | $165K | +3% | 60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $163K | +1% | 4,440 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $159K | -1% | 110 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $158K | -2% | 220 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $158K | -2% | 140 |
| Bellingham | $156K | -3% | 140 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $156K | -3% | 120 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $156K | -3% | 710 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $155K | -4% | 220 |
| Yakima | $147K | -9% | 180 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
Compare to other states
Track pharmacists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $161K, rent takes 18.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for pharmacists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new pharmacists typically earn — is $126K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $7,574/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 24% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is pharmacist a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 14% above the national median — $161K here vs. $141K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for pharmacists?
Washington pays $161K median vs. the U.S. average of $141K — that’s +14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $157K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do pharmacists make in Washington?
The median is $160,610 a year, that works out to about $77 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $126,230, and experienced pharmacists can clear $205,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $161K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,044/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 18.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a pharmacists salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median pharmacists salary is worth about $157,445 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do pharmacists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.