Pharmacist Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $155,629 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Lake Stevens, WA earns a median $155,629/year (≈ $74.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Lake Stevens's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $144,906 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Stevens, Washington, the current median pharmacist salary is projected to reach $155,629 in 2026, reflecting a notable rise in local compensation amid recent retail chain consolidations. With pay ranging from $118,649 at the lower end to $180,220 for the highest earners, pharmacist roles in this area are increasingly competitive. This upward trend is attributed to factors such as evolving market demands, especially as traditional retail pharmacy settings adapt or shrink in response to broader economic conditions. The estimates have been derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, indicating a favorable job market that is beginning to leverage changes in the industry for its workforce.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $118,649 | $57.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $148,523 | $71.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,629 | $74.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,799 | $83.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,220 | $86.65 |
Median Salary Position
8.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Stevens
In Lake Stevens, WA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,571 (2026 est.). At $155,629, the local median is 8.46% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Stevens: You'd be above the median
How Lake Stevens Pharmacist Pay Compares
Lake Stevens median: $155,629/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Stevens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $160,940 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +8.46% more |
Pharmacists in Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $155,629 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.46% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $160,940.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Stevens has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Stevens, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $155,629 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $144,906 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$138,927
2025 BLS Actual
$152,832
2026 Current Est.
$155,629
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,927 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $139,448 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,982 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,539 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,617 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,832 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,629 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,477 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Stevens metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $138,927 (2019) to $152,832 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,477 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,550 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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) | $118,649 – $148,523 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $148,523 – $155,629 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,629 – $172,799 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,799 – $180,220 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Lake Stevens
Analyzing the local job market reveals that only nine pharmacists are currently employed in Lake Stevens, suggesting a tight-knit professional community. The cost of living index at 107.4 signifies that while salary levels are competitive, the purchasing power may not be as robust compared to places with a lower cost of living. Among various employers, retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens are key players, although hospital and specialty pharmacies may offer higher compensation packages, particularly for roles requiring board certification or specialized training. Factors like shift differentials for overnight retail positions and the impact from retail layoffs post-2024 further contribute to the earnings gap in this field. For pharmacists looking to maximize their pay, pursuing board certifications or considering positions in expanding sectors like specialty and clinical pharmacy could provide a significant advantage in the Lake Stevens job market.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Lake Stevens, WA in 2026?
Is Lake Stevens, WA a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Lake Stevens?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Lake Stevens?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Lake Stevens?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $152,832 for pharmacistsin the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens 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