Pharmacist Salary in Covington, WA: $151,058 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Covington, WA earns a median $151,058/year (≈ $72.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Covington's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $140,650 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Covington, Washington, the ongoing retail pharmacy consolidation significantly impacts the local pharmacist salary landscape. In 2026, the median annual pay for pharmacists is projected to be $151,058, slightly above the national average of $143,489. The salary distribution demonstrates variability, with entry-level positions starting at around $107,053 and seasoned professionals earning up to $178,626. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, reflect a community adapting to the evolving job market. While job stability in the retail sector wavers due to store closures, opportunities remain for skilled pharmacists in other settings, ensuring that Covington maintains its appeal as a viable location for the profession.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,053 | $51.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $143,332 | $68.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $151,058 | $72.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,198 | $82.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,626 | $85.87 |
Median Salary Position
5.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Covington
In Covington, WA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,573 (2026 est.). At $151,058, the local median is 5.27% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Covington: You'd be above the median
How Covington Pharmacist Pay Compares
Covington median: $151,058/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Covington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $160,871 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +5.27% more |
Pharmacists in Covington, WA earn a median of $151,058 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.27% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 6.10% below the Washington state average of $160,871.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Covington has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Covington, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $151,058 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,650 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$134,847
2025 BLS Actual
$148,343
2026 Current Est.
$151,058
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,847 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,499 | Actual |
| 2021 | $135,352 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,753 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,206 | Actual |
| 2024 | $146,193 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,343 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $151,058 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,822 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Covington metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $134,847 (2019) to $148,343 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $153,822 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,975 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $107,053 – $143,332 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $143,332 – $151,058 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $151,058 – $171,198 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,198 – $178,626 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Covington
The job market for pharmacists in Covington is relatively narrow, with only five employed in the area. However, the cost of living index at 107.4 indicates that while salaries exceed national benchmarks, purchasing power can be tighter than expected. Top employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and hospital inpatient pharmacies offer competitive compensation, but the salary range can vary considerably based on work settings and additional qualifications. Those possessing board certification or residency training typically access higher pay, especially in clinical specialist roles. The differences in compensation are primarily driven by positional responsibilities and market demand as retail chain layoffs shift the focus to hospital and specialty pharmacy jobs. For pharmacists in Covington looking to enhance their income, pursuing further certifications and considering diverse employment opportunities could be effective strategies for maximizing earnings in this evolving environment.
More salary data for Covington, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $148,343 for pharmacistsin the Covington metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Covington 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