Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Cedar Falls, IA: $21.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Cedar Falls, IA runs $21.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,098 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Cedar Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,463 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, the median pharmacy technician hourly pay stands at $21.20, which is notably lower than the national average of $23.19. This difference in pay highlights how the local market responds to economic conditions and workforce demands. For those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, like in retail pharmacy counters or hospital settings, the hourly wage is crucial for determining financial stability. With a pay range from $16.50 for entry-level technicians to as much as $26.76 for top earners, opportunities across various pharmacy environments—such as in sterile compounding areas compliant with USP <797>/<800>—allow for a flexible work life. The numbers indicate that certified pharmacy technicians can find diverse roles in the Cedar Falls area, contributing to the overall variation in hourly pay.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.50 | $132.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.43 | $147.45 |
| Median (P50) | $21.20 | $169.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.54 | $180.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.76 | $214.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Falls
Based on $21.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.20/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Falls, IA can expect to earn approximately $44,104 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,445. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $848.16 | $3,675 | $44,104 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $508.90 | $2,205 | $26,463 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $339.26 | $1,470 | $17,642 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Cedar Falls) | $21.20 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $44,098 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.58% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 4.70% below the Iowa state average of $46,273.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.20/hr = $26,463/year (purchasing power: $29,273).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,104/year (purchasing power: $48,788).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Cedar Falls grew 34.8% from $14.92/hr (2019) to $20.11/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.36/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Falls metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Cedar Falls
Turning to the earning potential for part-time pharmacy technicians, someone working just three days a week, or approximately 24 hours, could expect to take home about $26,457 a year, significantly less than full-time professionals. In the context of per-diem opportunities, pay can vary widely; pharmacy techs billing hourly typically earn $20-$32, while those involved in hospital sterile compounding may command rates between $25 and $40. Additionally, travel pharmacy technician contracts are emerging, sometimes offering weekly earnings ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 in high-demand regions. The employer type also influences salaries considerably; retail pharmacy chains may offer lower wages compared to specialty pharmacies or hospital settings. As many technicians weigh the benefits of lower hourly pay against the security of health insurance, negotiation tactics become essential. Understanding the specific demands of Cedar Falls and articulating one's experience, especially with certifications like CSPT, can enhance one's negotiating power in securing better hourly rates.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Cedar Falls in 2026?
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Career Resources
Written by Emily Tran, PharmD
Career Analyst
Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Cedar Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar Falls is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov