Senior Pharmacy Technician Salary in Burlington, IA: $55,966 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of pharmacy technicians working in Burlington, IA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $55,966/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2052. Strip back Burlington's price premium (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $61,909 in average-cost America. The 26% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Achieving top-tier salary potential as a senior pharmacy technician in Burlington, IA, presents opportunities for experienced professionals who excel in their field. With a projected annual compensation reaching as high as $55,966 in 2026, there’s a clear pathway for those with over seven years of experience to secure a substantial income. This top pharmacy technician salary in Burlington represents a significant gap when compared to the median annual salary of $44,420, underscoring the benefits of specialized skills and certifications. To reach these higher pay levels, pharmacy technicians can focus on gaining expertise in areas such as sterile compounding, oncology, and project implementation within various pharmacy settings. Utilizing credentials such as the CSPT can elevate their profiles and bolster earning potential in this competitive market.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Experienced pharmacy technicians at the top of the pay scale in Burlington earn between $47,407 and $55,966 per year (2026 est.). This $19,048 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burlington median of $44,420 sits 7.92% below the US median.
Top CPhT Salary Comparison
| Level | Burlington | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $44,420 | $48,239 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,407 | $52,709 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $55,966 | $64,361 |
In Burlington, experienced pharmacy technicians (P90) earn 25.99% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Pharmacy Technician Pay in Burlington
Advanced Certifications in Iowa
IA pharmacy technicians with additional specialty certifications within the pharmacy field earn significantly above the $44,420 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burlington employers.
Specialty Focus
Pharmacy Technicians focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the pharmacy field in Burlington command premium compensation, often reaching the $47,407–$55,966 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burlington metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced pharmacy technicians who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured pharmacy technicians in Burlington with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Pharmacy Technicians in Iowa who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Pharmacy Technician Career & Wage Growth Path in Burlington
Clinical Pharmacy Technician
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Pharmacy Technician
5-10 yearsPharmacy Technician Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurlington ranks #13 of 26 Iowa cities for top earner pharmacy technician salary (90th percentile: $55,966).
Top 10% pharmacy technician compensation in Burlington ($55,966) is 2.29% below the Iowa average P90 ($57,280).
2019 BLS Actual
$42,722
2025 BLS Actual
$53,079
2026 Current Est.
$55,966
2019–2027 Growth
+38.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,722 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,853 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,374 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,035 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,679 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,847 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,079 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,966 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,011 | Projected |
Top-earning pharmacy technicians (90th percentile) in Burlington saw their compensation grow 24.2% from $42,722 in 2019 to $53,079 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.44% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $59,011 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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.
Maximizing Your Pharmacy Technician Earnings in Burlington
Compensation strategies for senior pharmacy technicians vary based on specific employer types and specializations, contributing to distinctive pay scales across Burlington. For instance, those involved in areas like IV medication preparation, hospital automation, or specialty pharmacy operations often command higher salaries due to the specialized knowledge required. Retail pharmacies may offer competitive wages, but compensation in hospital settings typically exceeds those rates, especially for roles requiring compliance with USP <797> and <800>. Leadership opportunities abound as well, with paths leading to positions such as pharmacy operations supervisor or sterile compounding specialist, which often come with better benefits. Additionally, holding advanced certifications, including the CPhT, can enhance a technician's marketability and compensation potential in this evolving field, particularly as health systems emphasize quality and safety in pharmaceutical care.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced pharmacy technicians make in Burlington in 2026?
What drives higher pharmacy technician pay in Burlington?
What certifications boost pharmacy technician salary in Burlington?
Can experienced pharmacy technicians make six figures in Burlington?
How much does pharmacy technician salary increase over time in Burlington?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $53,079 for pharmacy technicians in the Burlington metro area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington 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