Pharmacists Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
The median pay for a pharmacists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $143,890/year ($69.18/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $108K at the entry level to $173K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $132,155 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,246/month, or 26.4% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $144K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About pharmacists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level pharmacists (10th percentile) start around $108K. Mid-career wages sit at $144K. Top earners bring in $173K or more, a $65K spread from bottom to top.
Pharmacists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $165K | +20% | 34,490 |
| Alaska | $163K | +19% | 510 |
| Oregon | $163K | +19% | 3,660 |
| Washington | $157K | +14% | 7,940 |
| Minnesota | $155K | +12% | 6,010 |
| Hawaii | $151K | +10% | 1,310 |
| District of Columbia | $142K | +3% | 820 |
| New Hampshire | $141K | +3% | 1,090 |
| Delaware | $140K | +2% | 790 |
| Wisconsin | $140K | +2% | 4,940 |
| South Dakota | $140K | +2% | 1,290 |
| Indiana | $139K | +1% | 6,200 |
| Nevada | $139K | +1% | 2,330 |
| Idaho | $139K | +1% | 1,750 |
| Arizona | $138K | +0% | 7,690 |
| Missouri | $138K | +0% | 7,070 |
| New Mexico | $138K | +0% | 1,770 |
| Wyoming | $137K | -0% | 520 |
| Virginia | $137K | -0% | 7,700 |
| Montana | $137K | -0% | 1,330 |
| Maine | $137K | -0% | 1,330 |
| Texas | $137K | -0% | 22,720 |
| New York | $136K | -1% | 21,330 |
| Utah | $136K | -1% | 3,120 |
| Michigan | $136K | -1% | 9,640 |
| Massachusetts | $136K | -1% | 7,950 |
| North Carolina | $136K | -1% | 11,440 |
| South Carolina | $136K | -1% | 5,920 |
| Illinois | $136K | -1% | 12,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $136K | -1% | 15,120 |
| North Dakota | $136K | -1% | 980 |
| Maryland | $136K | -1% | 5,850 |
| Florida | $135K | -1% | 20,270 |
| Connecticut | $135K | -2% | 3,040 |
| Vermont | $135K | -2% | 530 |
| Ohio | $134K | -2% | 13,700 |
| Kansas | $134K | -2% | 3,560 |
| Arkansas | $134K | -2% | 3,100 |
| Alabama | $134K | -3% | 5,880 |
| West Virginia | $134K | -3% | 2,570 |
| Nebraska | $133K | -3% | 2,290 |
| Iowa | $133K | -3% | 2,920 |
| Kentucky | $133K | -3% | 5,310 |
| New Jersey | $133K | -4% | 10,930 |
| Mississippi | $132K | -4% | 3,060 |
| Georgia | $132K | -4% | 11,480 |
| Oklahoma | $132K | -4% | 3,870 |
| Tennessee | $131K | -5% | 8,050 |
| Louisiana | $130K | -6% | 5,010 |
| Rhode Island | $128K | -7% | 1,290 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track pharmacists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do pharmacists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $143,890 a year, that works out to about $69 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $107,870, and experienced pharmacists can clear $173,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $144K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,309/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 27% 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-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $132,155 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.