Pharmacy Technician Salary in Mason City, IA: $43,799 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Mason City, IA earns a median $43,799/year (≈ $21.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $48,450 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Mason City, Iowa, can anticipate a median annual salary of $43,799 in 2026, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $48,239. This local salary encompasses a range from $35,791 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $55,783 at the 90th percentile (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, indicate a competitive yet economically constrained environment for pharmacy technicians. Positions within hospital sterile compounding settings typically command higher pay compared to retail settings, as they require adherence to stringent USP <797> and <800> compliance standards. Given the overall job market strength in Mason City, it’s essential for aspiring pharmacy technicians to understand these pay dynamics.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,791 | $17.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,636 | $17.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,799 | $21.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,776 | $22.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,783 | $26.82 |
Median Salary Position
9.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,992 (2026 est.). At $43,799, the local median is 9.2% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mason City Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Mason City median: $43,799/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $46,250 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -9.20% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City 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.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $43,799 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,450 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,825
2025 BLS Actual
$41,539
2026 Current Est.
$43,799
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,825 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,869 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,358 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,312 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,591 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,235 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,539 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,799 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,181 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $30,825 (2019) to $41,539 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,181 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,356 (49.82%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,791 – $36,636 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,636 – $43,799 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,799 – $46,776 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,776 – $55,783 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Mason City
Despite the projected growth rate of 5.44% annually in pharmacy technician roles, the local job market currently employs only four pharmacy technicians. The cost of living index in Mason City stands at 90.4, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the relatively affordable living expenses can help maintain purchasing power. Among employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies tend to offer superior compensation compared to retail giants like CVS or Walgreens. Factors driving the salary range include the complexity of medications managed in hospital settings, potential shift differentials, and the CSPT certification stipend that may enhance earnings. For those looking to maximize their pharmacy technician pay in Mason City, pursuing advanced certifications and targeting hospital placements can be effective strategies to elevate their income potential.
More salary data for Mason City, 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 $41,539 for pharmacy techniciansin the Mason City 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 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