Pharmacy Aide Salary in Washington, DC
Pharmacy Aides in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $40,160 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,205 take-home, or $2,767 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacy aide salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,639
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,490
- Medicare (1.45%)$582
- District of Columbia income tax$1,244
- Take-home pay$33,205
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% 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.
Pharmacy Aide pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,330 | $14.58 | $25,896 | $2,158 |
| 25th percentile | $32,260 | $15.51 | $27,331 | $2,278 |
| Median (50th) | $40,160 | $19.31 | $33,205 | $2,767 |
| 75th percentile | $46,200 | $22.21 | $37,696 | $3,141 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,090 | $28.89 | $48,003 | $4,000 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $40,160 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 pharmacy aide's $33,205 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,496 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Pharmacy Aide jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.71), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for pharmacy aides, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #10 of 15 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix, AZ | $43,360 | $36,145 | $34,984 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $45,400 | $38,659 | $34,786 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $42,640 | $35,132 | $34,257 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $39,140 | $33,629 | $34,096 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $46,830 | $38,337 | $33,159 |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $44,810 | $36,821 | $32,909 |
| 7 | Riverside, CA | $41,600 | $34,411 | $32,329 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $39,160 | $32,235 | $32,217 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $40,160 | $33,205 | $30,496 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 15 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacy aide make in Washington, DC?
The median pharmacy aide salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $40,160 a year, or about $19.31 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,260 and $46,200.
What is a pharmacy aide’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $40,160 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $33,205 a year ($2,767 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,244 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a pharmacy aide?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $37,680. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,496 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #10 of 15 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacy aide 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) — 72% of a median pharmacy aide’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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- Massage Therapist — $65,220
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $55,770
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $50,600
- Phlebotomist — $49,030
- Dental Assistant — $47,540
- Medical Assistant — $46,640
- Nursing Assistant — $45,730
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $45,320
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- Medical Transcriptionist — $38,540
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,530