Pharmacist Salary in Federal Way, WA: $159,459 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Federal Way, WA earns a median $159,459/year (≈ $76.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Federal Way's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $148,472 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Federal Way, Washington, pharmacists are projected to earn a substantial median annual salary of $159,459 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $143,489 by approximately 11.13%. The salary range for pharmacists in this area stretches from $112,268 at the 10th percentile to $199,325 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust earning potential influenced by factors such as experience, specialization, and employment setting. This local salary estimate is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflecting the market dynamics and demand for pharmaceutical services in Federal Way. The growing influx of hospital and specialty roles, especially for those with PGY-1 or advanced training, has notably impacted pay scales, creating lucrative opportunities for pharmacists in this vibrant city.
About the Federal Way Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,268 | $53.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $145,385 | $69.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,459 | $76.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $184,618 | $88.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,325 | $95.83 |
Median Salary Position
11.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Federal Way
In Federal Way, WA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,057 (2026 est.). At $159,459, the local median is 11.13% above the national median of $143,489.
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How Federal Way Pharmacist Pay Compares
Federal Way median: $159,459/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Federal Way Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $160,907 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +11.13% more |
Pharmacists in Federal Way, WA earn a median of $159,459 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.13% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $160,907.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Federal Way has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Federal Way, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,459 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,472 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$142,346
2025 BLS Actual
$156,593
2026 Current Est.
$159,459
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Federal Way (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $142,346 | Actual |
| 2020 | $143,035 | Actual |
| 2021 | $142,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $147,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $151,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,324 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,593 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,459 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $162,377 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Federal Way metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $142,346 (2019) to $156,593 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $162,377 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,031 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Federal Way 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) | $112,268 – $145,385 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $145,385 – $159,459 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,459 – $184,618 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $184,618 – $199,325 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Federal Way
The pharmacist job market in Federal Way features around 22 employed practitioners, a number that reflects a stable demand for pharmacy professionals in both retail and clinical settings. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the region is slightly above the national average, making the take-home purchasing power of pharmacists all the more important. Retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens generally offer competitive salaries, yet those in inpatient hospital roles or specialized positions within mail-order operations can command even higher pay. The disparity in compensation is often driven by factors like board certifications and shift differentials. Increasingly, board-certified specialists and those with residency training see a premium in their paychecks. As retail chains face consolidation and closures, the most promising career paths for future pharmacists may lie in expanding fields such as specialty pharmacies and ambulatory care, making targeted education and experience vital for maximizing earning potential in Federal Way, WA.
More salary data for Federal Way, 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 $156,593 for pharmacistsin the Federal Way 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 Federal Way 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