Pharmacist salary in District of Columbia
Pharmacists in District of Columbia earn a median of $153,400 a year ($73.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 850 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,080 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $140,910. District of Columbia ranks 8th of 51 states for pharmacists pay. There are 1.2 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $144,970, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,870 | $31.19 |
| 25th percentile | $132,840 | $63.87 |
| Median | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| 75th percentile | $165,710 | $79.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,080 | $94.27 |
| Average (mean) | $144,970 | $69.70 |
Half of pharmacists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,783.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,391.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,900 |
| Weekly | $2,950 |
| Hourly | $73.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $153,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Pharmacist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $150,540 | 5,260 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 |
| Oregon | $165,960 |
| California | $164,610 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 |
| Washington | $160,610 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 |
| Colorado | $156,030 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 |
| Delaware | $152,880 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $111,950 | $53.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| Psychiatrist | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,150 | $39.50 |
| Veterinarian | $134,530 | $64.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for pharmacists in District of Columbia is $153,400 a year, or $73.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of pharmacists in District of Columbia earn at least $196,080 a year. The top 25% earn $165,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,870 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $132,840 or less.
How many pharmacists work in District of Columbia?
About 850 pharmacists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.