Pharmacist Salary

Kennewick vs Olympia: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Kennewick, WA and Olympia, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kennewick, WA
$161,024
$77.41/hr
Olympia, WA
$157,694
$75.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WAOlympia, WA
Median Salary$161,024$157,694
Hourly Rate$77.41$75.81
Entry Level (P10)$127,063$128,357
25th Percentile$135,607$137,532
75th Percentile$171,522$172,561
Top Earner (P90)$206,216$192,021
Total Employed220220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($161,024) and Olympia ($157,694) pharmacist salaries.KennewickOlympiaMedian Salary$161,024$157,694Entry Level (P10)$127,063$128,357Top Earner (P90)$206,216$192,021US Median $143,489

Verdict

Kennewick, WA offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Olympia.

The salary gap between Kennewick and Olympia is $3,330 (2.11%). Kennewick's median is +12.22% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kennewick spans $79,153,Olympia spans $63,664. Kennewick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$127,063
P25$135,607
Median$161,024
P75$171,522
P90 (Top)$206,216
Olympia
P10 (Entry)$128,357
P25$137,532
Median$157,694
P75$172,561
P90 (Top)$192,021

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($160,897 effective) pays 5.78% more than Olympia ($152,112 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $161,024
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $160,897
Olympia
Nominal: $157,694
CoL Index: 103.67
Adjusted: $152,112

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Higher median salary ($161,024/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($206,216)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $160,897)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Olympia if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Kennewick grew 20.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.4% growth in Olympia over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+20.3%

$131,400 (2019) → $158,130 (2025)

Olympia, WA

+21.4%

$127,610 (2019) → $154,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Kennewick or Olympia?

Kennewick has a higher median pharmacist salary at $161,024/year, compared to Olympia at $157,694/year — a difference of $3,330 (2.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Olympia?

Kennewick pharmacists earn $77.41/hr while Olympia hygienists earn $75.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennewick to Olympia as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Olympia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $160,897, Olympia = $152,112), job availability (220 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Kennewick vs Olympia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $127,063 in Kennewick and $128,357 in Olympia. The Olympia area offers higher starting salaries.

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Patel, PharmDData verified by Amina Al-Sayed, PharmD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov