Pharmacist Salary in Washington, DC
Pharmacists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $150,540 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $104,333 take-home, or $8,694 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$24,864
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,333
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,183
- District of Columbia income tax$9,827
- Take-home pay$104,333
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Pharmacist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $121,420 | $58.38 | $86,897 | $7,241 |
| 25th percentile | $135,310 | $65.05 | $95,218 | $7,935 |
| Median (50th) | $150,540 | $72.38 | $104,333 | $8,694 |
| 75th percentile | $164,720 | $79.19 | $112,819 | $9,402 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,230 | $86.17 | $121,504 | $10,125 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $150,540 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacist's $104,333 take-home pay has the buying power of $95,820 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Pharmacist jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for pharmacists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #24 of 29 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte, NC | $150,580 | $108,688 | $111,649 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $140,690 | $104,341 | $111,092 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $162,870 | $122,588 | $110,307 |
| 4 | Nashville, TN | $137,590 | $105,309 | $109,312 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $139,460 | $100,970 | $109,106 |
| 6 | Cincinnati, OH | $140,200 | $104,020 | $109,069 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $140,470 | $107,277 | $108,768 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $157,890 | $112,945 | $106,772 |
| 24 | Washington, DC | $150,540 | $104,333 | $95,820 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
About the job: pharmacists
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.2% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Washington, DC?
The median pharmacist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $150,540 a year, or about $72.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $135,310 and $164,720.
What is a pharmacist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $150,540 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $104,333 a year ($8,694 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $9,827 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $140,910. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $95,820 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #24 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median pharmacist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Physicians, All Other — $208,710
- Dentists, General — $184,540
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other — $166,230
- Physician Assistant — $148,200
- Nurse Practitioner — $134,840
- Physical Therapist — $102,980
- Occupational Therapist — $102,960
- Registered Nurse — $102,710
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $99,960
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $97,390
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $75,860
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $70,300