Pharmacist in Everett, WA

As a career analyst who has watched the Puget Sound's job market for over a decade, I’ve seen Everett transform from a blue-collar aerospace hub to a more diversified city with a robust healthcare sector. For pharmacists, this shift is significant. Everett offers a compelling blend of urban opportunity and suburban affordability, but it’s not without its nuances. This guide will walk you through the practical realities, from your paycheck after rent to navigating the local licensing board.

Let’s get you the data you need to make a smart move.

The Salary Picture: Where Everett Stands

First, let’s talk numbers. The median salary for a pharmacist in Everett is $141,335/year, which breaks down to a robust $67.95/hour. This is notably higher than the national average of $136,030/year, placing Everett in a competitive position for pharmacy professionals. It’s a testament to the region’s high cost of living and the demand for skilled healthcare workers.

However, the 10-year job growth forecast is -3%, a clear signal that the market is not expanding aggressively. Automation and the consolidation of retail chains are key factors here. The 222 pharmacy jobs currently in the metro area indicate a stable, but not booming, market. You’re not looking at a gold rush, but a solid, established career path.

Here’s how salary typically breaks down by experience level in the Everett area:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary Range
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$115,000 - $128,000
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$135,000 - $150,000
Senior (8-15 years)	$145,000 - $165,000
Expert/Managerial	$160,000+

Insider Tip: While the median is $141,335, this figure is heavily influenced by hospital and clinical roles. Retail pharmacist salaries can be slightly lower, but often come with more predictable hours and sign-on bonuses, especially in underserved areas.

When you compare Everett to other major Washington cities, it holds its own:

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg = 100)	Key Employer Notes
Everett	$141,335	113.0	Strong mix of hospital & community pharmacy.
Seattle	$145,200	152.3	Higher pay, but extreme housing costs.
Spokane	$128,750	93.5	Lower cost of living, moderate salaries.
Tacoma	$139,800	110.5	Similar to Everett, with different hospital dynamics.

Everett strikes a balance. You won't get Seattle's peak salaries, but you avoid its punishing cost of living.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be blunt: Washington has no state income tax, which is a massive advantage. But the high cost of living, particularly housing, quickly eats into your paycheck. For a pharmacist earning the median $141,335, here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Earner, No Dependents)

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$11,778	(Based on $141,335 annual)
Federal Taxes (Est.)	-$2,100	Varies by filing status, deductions.
Social Security/Medicare	-$901	Standard 7.65% of gross.
Net Monthly Pay	~$8,777	Your take-home pay.
Average 1BR Rent	-$1,864	City-wide average
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	-$250	Varies by season and complex.
Groceries	-$500	For one person, moderate spending.
Car Payment/Insurance	-$500	Everett is car-dependent.
Health Insurance (Post-Employer)	-$300	If not fully covered by employer.
Savings/Investments	-$2,000	A strong 15-20% of net income.
Discretionary/Lifestyle	-$3,363	Dining out, entertainment, travel, etc.

Can they afford to buy a home?
Yes, but with caveats. The median home price in Everett is around $600,000. With a 20% down payment ($120,000), a 30-year mortgage at 7% results in a monthly payment of approximately $3,800 (including taxes and insurance). This is about double the average rent.

For a single pharmacist earning $141,335, a $3,800 mortgage payment would consume ~43% of your net take-home pay. This is above the recommended 30% threshold, making it a stretch unless you have a dual income or a significant down payment. It’s feasible with budgeting, but not as easily as in lower-cost areas. Many local pharmacists choose to rent longer or buy in more affordable neighboring cities like Marysville or Lake Stevens.

Where the Jobs Are: Everett's Major Employers

Everett’s pharmacy job market is anchored by a few key players. Hiring trends favor those with experience in hospital/clinical settings and those willing to work in community pharmacy, especially in retail locations serving diverse populations.

1. Providence Regional Medical Center (Colby Campus & Pacific Campus): The largest employer in the area. They have a robust inpatient pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and ambulatory care roles. Hiring is steady but competitive. They value clinical certifications (e.g., BCPS).
2. Community Health Center of Snohomish County (CHC): A major FQHC with multiple locations in Everett. They focus on primary care and often have pharmacy roles integrated into their care teams, especially for chronic disease management. A great path for those interested in public health.
3. Walgreens & CVS: Corporate giants are everywhere. Everett has over a dozen locations combined. Turnover here can be higher, leading to more frequent openings. It's the most common entry point for new grads. Expect a fast-paced retail environment.
4. Safeway & Bartell Drugs: Local grocery and pharmacy chains. Bartell Drugs, a beloved Seattle-area institution, has several Everett stores. They often offer a slightly different culture than the national chains and may provide more community-focused opportunities.
5. The Everett Clinic (Part of Optum): This large multi-specialty group sometimes has outpatient pharmacy or medication therapy management roles tied to their clinics. It’s a hybrid healthcare/retail model.
6. Washington State Department of Corrections: The state prison in Monroe, just east of Everett, regularly hires pharmacists for its facility. The pay is competitive, and the benefits are state-level. It's a niche but stable option.

Hiring Trend Insight: There’s a growing demand for pharmacists in ambulatory care and specialty pharmacy within hospital systems. Retail remains the volume leader, but with lower growth prospects.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State is not a compact state. If you're licensed elsewhere, you’ll need to apply for licensure by examination or endorsement through the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Pharmacy Board.

Process & Costs:

1. Submit Application: Through the DOH’s online portal. Application fee: $205 (as of 2023).
2. Fingerprinting & Background Check: Required. Cost: ~$50.
3. MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam): You must pass the Washington-specific MPJE. Exam fee: $200.
4. NAPLEX: The national exam is required for licensure. Exam fee: $795.
5. Foreign Graduates: Additional requirements include FPGEC certification and possibly an English proficiency test.

Total Estimated Cost: $1,250 - $1,500 (excluding travel for exam centers).

Timeline: If you're a new graduate, the process can take 3-6 months from application to receiving your license. For pharmacists licensed in another state (licensure by endorsement), it can be slightly faster if you already have the NAPLEX and MPJE on record, but still expect 2-4 months.

Insider Tip: Start the application process before you move. The Washington State DOH website is the best source, and it’s wise to contact them with your specific situation. Processing times can vary.

Best Neighborhoods for Pharmacists

Everett is geographically large and diverse. Your choice of neighborhood will dramatically affect your commute, lifestyle, and housing costs.

1. Downtown Everett (98201): The urban core. Walkable, with a growing food and arts scene. You’re close to Providence Regional Medical Center (downtown campus). Commute to other hospitals or retail locations can be 10-20 minutes. Rent for a 1BR is around $1,800 - $2,100. Ideal for those who want a vibrant, city feel.
2. Northwest Everett / Harbor Area (98201, 98204): Quieter, residential, and close to the water and the Naval Station. Good access to I-5 and Highway 526. Commute to Providence Pacific is easy. Rent is slightly lower, $1,700 - $1,950. Great for a more settled, family-friendly vibe.
3. South Everett / Airport (98204): More affordable and densely populated. Close to the Boeing Everett factory and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Commutes can be longer due to I-5 traffic. This is where you’ll find many retail pharmacies and the Costco HQ. Rent is more reasonable, $1,600 - $1,800. Ideal for budget-conscious commuters.
4. Mill Creek (98296): A master-planned community just east of Everett. Feels like a suburb with its own walkable town center. Excellent schools, very safe, but less diverse. Commute to Everett is 15-25 minutes. Rent is higher, $1,900 - $2,300 for a 1BR. Popular with young families in healthcare.
5. Lake Stevens (98258): Technically its own city, but a major commuter hub for Everett. Offers stunning lake views and a small-town feel while being a 25-35 minute drive to most Everett employers. Rent is comparable to Mill Creek, $1,800 - $2,100. Perfect if you want the lake lifestyle and don't mind the commute.

The Long Game: Career Growth

With a -3% 10-year growth outlook, you must be intentional about advancement. Simply staying in a community pharmacy role may lead to stagnation.

Specialty Premiums:

• Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP): Highly sought after at Providence and cancer centers. Can command a $10k-$20k premium over the median.
• Critical Care (BCCCP): Needed in ICU settings. Another $10k-$15k premium.
• Ambulatory Care (BCACP): Growing in primary care clinics (like CHC). Premium varies but adds significant value.
• Infectious Diseases (BCIDP): A niche but critical role in hospital settings.

Advancement Paths:

1. Clinical Ladder: Move from staff pharmacist to clinical specialist, then to coordinator or director. This often requires a PharmD and board certification.
2. Management: Pharmacy manager in a retail chain or a supervisor in a hospital. Requires leadership skills and often an MBA or similar.
3. Industry: With Pfizer and other biotech firms in the greater Seattle area, some pharmacists move into medical science liaison (MSL) or regulatory roles. This is a competitive, high-upside path.
4. Specialty Pharmacy: Working for a specialty pharmacy (like Accredo or local hospital-based) is a high-growth area within a stagnant market.

10-Year Outlook: The -3% growth means automation and tech will handle more dispensing tasks. The value will be in the pharmacist who can counsel, manage complex diseases, and work in collaborative practice agreements. Your career longevity depends on embracing these clinical shifts.

The Verdict: Is Everett Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong Median Salary ($141,335) relative to cost of living.	Job growth is flat to negative (-3%); competition for the best roles is high.
No state income tax boosts your take-home pay.	High cost of living (113.0 index), especially housing.
Major employers like Providence offer stable, clinical career paths.	Car-dependent city; public transit is limited outside core routes.
Proximity to Seattle for higher-paying opportunities or entertainment.	Limited "big city" nightlife compared to Seattle or Bellevue.
Access to outdoor recreation (Puget Sound, mountains, lakes).	The healthcare job market can feel small; networking is critical.
Diverse communities and a growing, revitalized downtown.	Traffic on I-5 can be a significant daily frustration.

Final Recommendation:
Everett is an excellent choice for a pharmacist who values practicality over prestige. It’s ideal for mid-career professionals seeking a clinical or hospital-based role who want to own a home or save aggressively without the extreme pressures of the Seattle market. It’s also a good landing spot for new grads willing to start in retail to gain experience while they build their license and skills.

If you are a new graduate looking for a high-energy, competitive hospital environment from day one, Seattle or Bellevue might offer more immediate options. If you crave a lower cost of living and a more serene lifestyle, consider Spokane. But for the pharmacist who wants a balanced, stable career with a respectable salary and a manageable path to homeownership, Everett is a strong, data-backed contender.

FAQs

1. I’m a retail pharmacist from California. How hard is it to transition to a hospital job in Everett?
It’s a common transition but requires a strategic approach. The key is to get clinical experience. Take on MTM (Medication Therapy Management) projects at your current job, get a BCACP certification, and tailor your resume for ambulatory or hospital roles. Networking through the Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) events is crucial. Don’t expect a hospital job immediately, but it’s a very reachable goal within 1-2 years.

2. Is the cost of living really 13% above the national average?
Yes, but the driver is almost entirely housing. The Cost of Living Index of 113.0 comes from data like Sperling's BestPlaces. While rent ($1,864 for a 1BR) is high, groceries, healthcare, and utilities are closer to the national average. Your biggest budget adjustment will be housing.

3. How is the job market for non-traditional paths like a PharmD in a public health role?
Growing. Organizations like the Snohomish Health District and community health centers (CHC) are actively looking for pharmacists to help with population health initiatives, especially in immunization and chronic disease management. These roles are competitive but are a great way to use your degree outside of a traditional pharmacy setting.

4. What’s the commute like in Everett?
It’s highly dependent on your work location and time. A 5-mile commute can take 15 minutes at 3 PM but 45 minutes at 5 PM on I-5. South Everett to downtown can be a traffic hotspot. Living near your primary employer (e.g., Providence Pacific in NW Everett) can save you 10-15 hours a week in driving. Always test the commute during rush hour before renting.

5. Are there opportunities for part-time or per-diem work?
Yes, especially in community pharmacy and hospital settings. Many hospitals use per-diem pharmacists to cover leaves and peak periods. Retail chains also offer part-time. This can be a great way to test the market, balance family life, or supplement income. The 222 total jobs in the metro area include a mix of full-time, part-time, and per-diem roles.