Pharmacy Technician Salary in Des Moines, IA: $49,156 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Des Moines, IA earns a median $49,156/year (≈ $23.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $53,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, Iowa, the median annual salary for pharmacy technicians is projected to reach $49,156 in 2026, slightly higher than the national median of $48,239. The salary range for these professionals spans from $38,570 at the P10 level to $57,749 at the P90 level, based on data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The wage disparity within the sector highlights a distinct gradient between hospital sterile compounding roles—often involving USP <797> and <800> compliance—and positions in retail pharmacies, where salaries tend to be lower. Given the ongoing shortages and increased responsibilities taken on by pharmacy technicians in recent years, particularly after the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the job market in Des Moines shows promise for salary growth and stability.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,570 | $18.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,048 | $19.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,156 | $23.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,108 | $25.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,749 | $27.76 |
Median Salary Position
1.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,179 (2026 est.). At $49,156, the local median is 1.9% above the national median of $48,239.
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At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be above the median
How Des Moines Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $49,156/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $46,243 | +6.30% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +1.90% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $49,156 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.90% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 6.30% above the Iowa state average of $46,243.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $49,156 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,605 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,030
2025 BLS Actual
$46,620
2026 Current Est.
$49,156
2019–2027 Growth
+48.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,156 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,830 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 33.1% from $35,030 (2019) to $46,620 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,830 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,800 (47.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $38,570 – $41,048 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,048 – $49,156 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,156 – $52,108 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,108 – $57,749 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Des Moines
Currently, there are about 1,160 pharmacy technicians employed in Des Moines, contributing to a diverse job market. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 91.701, which can enhance the purchasing power of pharmacy technicians, making their salaries more favorable compared to national averages. Employers such as hospital inpatient pharmacies typically offer higher salaries compared to retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens. The pay spread reflects several factors, including the shift differentials from overnight shifts in retail or hospital settings, specialized roles in hospital sterile compounding, and the potential stipend for CSPT certification. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential in this market, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking employment in specialized settings may yield the best financial rewards, illustrating the various pathways available within the pharmacy technician profession in Des Moines, IA.
More salary data for Des Moines, 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 $46,620 for pharmacy techniciansin the Des Moines 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
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