Pharmacy Technician Salary in Iowa: $46,958 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacy technician pay sits at $46,958/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2052. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $51,945 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($46,620), West Des Moines ($46,018), Dubuque ($45,100).
In Iowa, the average median salary for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is projected to be $46,958, which is slightly below the national median of $48,239, creating a gap of -2.7%. Salary variations across cities in the state are significant, with Des Moines offering the highest pay at $49,156, while Ames presents the lowest at $41,448. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for pharmacy services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in various areas. Pharmacy technicians in Iowa must meet state licensing requirements, which include completing a pharmacy technician training program and passing a certification exam. The scope of practice laws in Iowa allow pharmacy technicians to perform various duties, which can enhance their job prospects. The state's growing healthcare sector is driving demand; the employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.44% through 2026. The current number of employed pharmacy technicians in Iowa stands at 3,566, with the top five cities for pay being Des Moines, West Des Moines at $48,521, Dubuque at $47,553, Davenport at $47,532, and Cedar Rapids at $46,320. Overall, the job market shows promise for aspiring pharmacy technicians in the state.
Iowa Pharmacy Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $34,319 (lowest entry-level) to $66,870 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa pharmacy technicians earn 2.66% less than the national median ($-1,281/year difference).
Iowa Pharmacy Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacy Technician salaries in Iowa range from $38,041 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $57,280 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $46,958. The Iowa median is $1,281 below the US national median of $48,239. The average hourly rate is $22.57/hr. Approximately 3,566 pharmacy technicians are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,796
2025 BLS Actual
$44,535
2026 Current Est.
$46,958
2019–2027 Growth
+51.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,796 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,728 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,414 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,529 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,325 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,235 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,535 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,958 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,512 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 35.8% from $32,796 (2019) to $44,535 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,512 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,716 (50.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Ames | $41,448 |
| Fort Dodge | $42,465 |
| Johnston | $42,938 |
| Ottumwa | $43,043 |
| Waterloo | $43,178 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacy Technicians in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacy technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque | $47,553 | 87.328 | $54,453 |
| West Des Moines | $48,521 | 90.4 | $53,674 |
| Des Moines | $49,156 | 91.701 | $53,605 |
| Sioux City | $46,204 | 86.454 | $53,443 |
| Davenport | $47,532 | 89.079 | $53,359 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,041 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $46,958 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $57,280 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $49,156 |
| 2 | West Des Moines | $48,521 |
| 3 | Dubuque | $47,553 |
| 4 | Davenport | $47,532 |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | $46,320 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $46,204 |
| 7 | Iowa City | $45,866 |
| 8 | Marion | $45,490 |
| 9 | Ankeny | $44,959 |
| 10 | Council Bluffs | $44,676 |
| 11 | Burlington | $44,420 |
| 12 | Waukee | $44,261 |
| 13 | Urbandale | $44,200 |
| 14 | Bettendorf | $44,197 |
| 15 | Cedar Falls | $44,098 |
| 16 | Marshalltown | $44,061 |
| 17 | Coralville | $44,002 |
| 18 | Mason City | $43,799 |
| 19 | North Liberty | $43,627 |
| 20 | Clinton | $43,412 |
| 21 | Muscatine | $43,206 |
| 22 | Waterloo | $43,178 |
| 23 | Ottumwa | $43,043 |
| 24 | Johnston | $42,938 |
| 25 | Fort Dodge | $42,465 |
| 26 | Ames | $41,448 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore pharmacy technician hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacy technicians.
Explore More Pharmacy Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacy technicians in Iowa?
How does Iowa pharmacy technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacy technician salary in Iowa?
How many pharmacy technicians are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for pharmacy technicians?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacy technician compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacy technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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