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.
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 #111 of 120 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester, MN | $164,250 | $113,470 | $124,938 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls, SD | $148,330 | $112,650 | $124,295 |
| 3 | McAllen, TX | $137,700 | $105,384 | $122,689 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $150,500 | $114,133 | $120,500 |
| 5 | Shreveport, LA | $137,970 | $101,816 | $120,114 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $199,040 | $131,343 | $118,945 |
| 7 | Spartanburg, SC | $153,610 | $108,199 | $118,833 |
| 8 | Fargo, ND | $142,040 | $106,840 | $117,573 |
| 111 | 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 120 metros →
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 #111 of 120 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
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,140
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $223,250
- Nurse Anesthetist — $223,150
- Physicians, All Other — $208,710
- Dentists, General — $184,540
- Pediatricians, General — $172,520
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other — $166,230
- Optometrist — $154,690
- Veterinarian — $154,350
- Physician Assistant — $148,200