Pharmacist Hourly Pay in University Place, WA: $75.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in University Place, WA runs $75.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $157,801 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against University Place's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $70.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,677 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In University Place, WA, pharmacists earn a median hourly pay of $75.86, significantly higher than the national median of $68.99. This competitive rate creates attractive opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers within varied settings like retail pharmacies, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy operations. For those choosing to work three days a week, the hourly earnings offer a viable salary while allowing flexibility in their schedules. The hourly wage ranges from $53.64 for entry-level positions up to $94.39 for more experienced professionals, reflecting a lucrative market for pharmacists in this area that caters to the high demand for pharmaceutical services.
About the University Place Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53.64 | $429.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69.07 | $552.57 |
| Median (P50) | $75.86 | $606.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.96 | $671.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.39 | $755.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in University Place
Based on $75.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.86/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in University Place, WA can expect to earn approximately $157,796 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $91,036. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in University Place.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in University Place
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,034.53 | $13,150 | $157,796 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,820.72 | $7,890 | $94,677 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,213.81 | $5,260 | $63,118 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (University Place) | $75.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in University Place, WA earn a median of $157,801 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.97% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $160,857.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.86/hr = $94,677/year (purchasing power: $88,154).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,796/year (purchasing power: $146,923).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$67.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$74.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $68.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $67.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $70.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $74.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in University Place grew 10.0% from $67.72/hr (2019) to $74.50/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $77.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Place metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacist in University Place
Considering part-time roles, a pharmacist working 24 hours weekly would earn approximately $59,423 annually, providing a healthier income than many regional occupations. In per-diem settings, the pay varies, with retail pharmacists typically billing between $55 and $75 per hour while hospital pharmacists command between $60 and $85 per hour. Specialty pharmacy positions in critical care or oncology can go as high as $70 to $95 per hour, demonstrating the diverse earning possibilities. The type of employer significantly impacts hourly compensation; chain drugstores like CVS and Walgreens offer stable, if sometimes lower, pay than specialized hospitals or mail-order pharmacies, which may provide higher rates at the expense of benefits. Therefore, some pharmacists might opt for positions that balance higher hourly rates with fewer benefits, especially in a changing market where roles in hospitals and healthcare facilities are expanding due to evolving pharmacy practices in vaccination and management. Negotiating salaries in University Place could involve discussing the relative stability of benefits against potential increases in hourly rates, creating a balance in job satisfaction and financial security.
More salary data for University Place, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists in University Place. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for University Place is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov