Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Dubuque, IA: $22.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Dubuque, IA runs $22.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,553 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Dubuque's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.3, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,542 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dubuque, Iowa, pharmacy technicians earn a median hourly rate of $22.87, slightly lower than the national median of $23.19. This means that professionals working in various settings—from retail pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens to hospital environments and specialty compounding areas—can expect a pay rate that reflects local market conditions. Entry-level technicians may begin at $18.58 per hour, while those in specialized roles or with significant experience can earn up to $27.53 hourly. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, highlight the competitive compensation landscape for pharmacy technicians in Dubuque, making it a viable option for both full-time and part-time workers.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.58 | $148.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.77 | $150.15 |
| Median (P50) | $22.87 | $182.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.22 | $193.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.53 | $220.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dubuque
Based on $22.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.87/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dubuque, IA can expect to earn approximately $47,569 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,444. With a cost-of-living index of 87.33 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dubuque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dubuque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $914.80 | $3,964 | $47,569 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $548.88 | $2,378 | $28,542 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $365.92 | $1,586 | $19,028 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Dubuque) | $22.87 |
| 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 Dubuque, IA earn a median of $47,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.42% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 2.80% above the Iowa state average of $46,258.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.87/hr = $28,542/year (purchasing power: $32,683).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,569/year (purchasing power: $54,472).
CoL index: 87.328 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+90.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Dubuque grew 71.3% from $12.66/hr (2019) to $21.69/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.11/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 Dubuque 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 Dubuque
For part-time pharmacy technicians working three days a week, or 24 hours, the annual take-home can be around $28,469, while full-time counterparts see significantly higher earnings. With per diem pharmacy technician pay in Dubuque often ranging between $20 and $32 per hour, opportunities in hospital sterile compounding roles can yield even greater pay at $25 to $40 per hour. Different employer types affect hourly rates; for instance, retail pharmacy chains generally offer lower wages compared to hospital inpatient pharmacies, where specialized skills are more valued. Many technicians must weigh the benefits of steady employment and health insurance against higher pay that may not come with such perks. When negotiating rates, emphasizing certification credentials—like those from PTCB or CSPT—and specialized training in areas such as USP <797>/<800> compliance can help secure better offers in the evolving job market of Dubuque.
More salary data for Dubuque, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Dubuque. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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