Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Mason City, IA: $21.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Mason City, IA runs $21.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,799 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Mason City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,278 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mason City, Iowa, the 2026 median hourly pay for pharmacy technicians is projected to be $21.06, slightly below the national median of $23.19. This pay structure is significant for part-time and per-diem workers, who typically find themselves in various settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital clean rooms, and specialty pharmacy compounding hoods. The hourly pay rates span from $17.21 for entry-level technicians to about $26.82 for those at the top of their field. These figures are estimated from annual salary data, illustrating the landscape for pharmacy technician hourly pay in Mason City, IA, as workers navigate the diverse opportunities within their profession.
About the Mason City 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) | $17.21 | $137.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.61 | $140.87 |
| Median (P50) | $21.06 | $168.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.49 | $179.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.82 | $214.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mason City
Based on $21.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.06/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mason City, IA can expect to earn approximately $43,797 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,268. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mason City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mason City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $842.25 | $3,650 | $43,797 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $505.35 | $2,190 | $26,278 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $336.90 | $1,460 | $17,519 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Mason City) | $21.06 |
| 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 Mason City, IA earn a median of $43,799 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.20% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $46,250.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.06/hr = $26,278/year (purchasing power: $29,069).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,797/year (purchasing power: $48,448).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Mason City grew 34.8% from $14.82/hr (2019) to $19.97/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.20/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 Mason City 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 Mason City
Considering part-time work, a pharmacy technician working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could take home around $26,500 annually, significantly less than the full-time figure. For those opting for per-diem roles, the pay often ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized positions in hospital sterile compounding commanding rates as high as $25 to $40 per hour. Employers across Mason City, from chains like CVS and Walgreens to specialty pharmacies like Accredo, offer varying hourly rates reflecting their operational demands. It's crucial for pharmacy technicians to balance the benefits of steady employment—which may include health insurance and other perks—against the potential for higher hourly wages in per-diem or contract work. Negotiation strategies should focus on articulating the value of certifications like the CSPT, especially in markets where competition for skilled pharmacy technicians intensifies.
More salary data for Mason City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Mason City 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 Mason City. 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 Mason City 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