Pharmacist Salary

Seattle vs Shoreline: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Seattle, WA
$165,851
$79.73/hr
Shoreline, WA
$161,400
$77.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAShoreline, WA
Median Salary$165,851$161,400
Hourly Rate$79.73$77.59
Entry Level (P10)$128,723$111,258
25th Percentile$141,951$145,133
75th Percentile$196,389$185,071
Top Earner (P90)$213,293$197,873
Total Employed4,4408
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($165,851) and Shoreline ($161,400) pharmacist salaries.SeattleShorelineMedian Salary$165,851$161,400Entry Level (P10)$128,723$111,258Top Earner (P90)$213,293$197,873US Median $143,489

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shoreline.

The salary gap between Seattle and Shoreline is $4,451 (2.76%). Seattle's median is +15.58% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $84,570,Shoreline spans $86,615. Shoreline has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$128,723
P25$141,951
Median$165,851
P75$196,389
P90 (Top)$213,293
Shoreline
P10 (Entry)$111,258
P25$145,133
Median$161,400
P75$185,071
P90 (Top)$197,873

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shoreline ($150,279 effective) pays 0.70% more than Seattle ($149,237 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $165,851
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $149,237
Shoreline
Nominal: $161,400
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $150,279

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($165,851/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($213,293)
  • Larger job market (4,440 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Shoreline if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $150,279)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Seattle grew 22.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.5% growth in Shoreline over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+22.1%

$133,360 (2019) → $162,870 (2025)

Shoreline, WA

+1.5%

$156,202 (2024) → $158,499 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Seattle or Shoreline?

Seattle has a higher median pharmacist salary at $165,851/year, compared to Shoreline at $161,400/year — a difference of $4,451 (2.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Shoreline?

Seattle pharmacists earn $79.73/hr while Shoreline hygienists earn $77.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Shoreline as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Shoreline. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $149,237, Shoreline = $150,279), job availability (4,440 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Seattle vs Shoreline?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $128,723 in Seattle and $111,258 in Shoreline. The Seattle area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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