Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Washington, DC?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18.3% of gross income.
Washington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (District of Columbia state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, DC →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Washington, DC?
Median rent in Washington is $2,532 a month. A typical pharmacist in District of Columbia earns about $165,938 a year, which makes that rent 18.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in District of Columbia (~$165,938/yr) supports up to $4,148 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $2,532/mo, which leaves a $1,616/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $80 an hour, a pharmacist in District of Columbia works roughly 31.7 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $2,532.