Pharmacy Technician Salary in Cedar Falls, IA: $44,098 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Cedar Falls, IA earns a median $44,098/year (≈ $21.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Cedar Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $48,781 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $44,098 for pharmacy technicians in Cedar Falls, IA, compensation is slightly below the national average of $48,239. The local salary range spans from $34,319 at the 10th percentile to $55,651 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience and certifications. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, highlight the realities of the local job market where pharmacy technician pay in Cedar Falls could be influenced by factors such as night shifts and retail premiums. As employers face challenges in recruiting and retaining staff, the competitive salary landscape illustrates the importance of specific skills and certifications in maximizing earnings.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,319 | $16.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,339 | $18.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,098 | $21.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,884 | $22.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,651 | $26.76 |
Median Salary Position
8.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, IA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,332 (2026 est.). At $44,098, the local median is 8.58% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Falls Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Cedar Falls median: $44,098/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $46,273 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -8.58% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Falls has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $44,098 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,781 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,036
2025 BLS Actual
$41,823
2026 Current Est.
$44,098
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,036 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,087 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,586 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,546 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,841 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,823 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,823 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,098 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,497 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Falls metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $31,036 (2019) to $41,823 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,497 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,461 (49.82%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $34,319 – $38,339 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,339 – $44,098 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,098 – $46,884 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,884 – $55,651 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, a tight labor market has resulted in only eight pharmacy technicians being employed locally, yet opportunities for advancement and increased pay exist. The area's cost of living index stands at 90.4, suggesting that while salaries might be lower than national averages, the purchasing power is more favorable for residents. Employers like CVS and Walgreens offer competitive wages, while hospitals and specialty pharmacies tend to pay more due to the specialized nature of their work. The pay disparity in Cedar Falls is driven by various factors, including the specific work environment—hospital roles, particularly for those well-versed in sterile compounding, often command higher wages. To maximize their earning potential, pharmacy technicians should consider pursuing certifications such as CSPT and seek positions in hospitals or specialty pharmacies where higher pay is attainable, especially amidst a rising demand and shifting industry landscape.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $41,823 for pharmacy techniciansin the Cedar Falls metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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