Pharmacist salary in Washington
Pharmacists in Washington earn a median of $160,610 a year ($77.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $126,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,210 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $140,910. Washington ranks 5th of 51 states for pharmacists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.1 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $159,100, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $126,230 | $60.69 |
| 25th percentile | $137,890 | $66.29 |
| Median | $160,610 | $77.22 |
| 75th percentile | $179,480 | $86.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,210 | $98.66 |
| Average (mean) | $159,100 | $76.49 |
Half of pharmacists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,384.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,692.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,177.31 |
| Weekly | $3,088.65 |
| Hourly | $77.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacist salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $172,630 | 70 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $168,830 | 2,070 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $165,210 | 60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $162,870 | 4,440 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $159,320 | 110 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $158,130 | 220 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $158,020 | 140 |
| Bellingham, WA | $156,490 | 140 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $156,490 | 120 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $155,560 | 710 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $154,860 | 220 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $148,110 | 60 |
| Yakima, WA | $146,650 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 |
| Oregon | $165,960 |
| California | $164,610 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 |
| Washington | $160,610 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 |
| Colorado | $156,030 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 |
| Delaware | $152,880 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $124,200 | $59.71 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Dental Hygienist | $131,160 | $63.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $307,170 | $147.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $164,360 | $79.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Dentists, General | $169,730 | $81.60 |
| Veterinarian | $160,510 | $77.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Anesthesiologist | $499,990 | $240.38 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $84,220 | $40.49 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Washington?
The median salary for pharmacists in Washington is $160,610 a year, or $77.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $126,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Washington?
The top 10% of pharmacists in Washington earn at least $205,210 a year. The top 25% earn $179,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $126,230 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $137,890 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Washington?
About 7,350 pharmacists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.