Pharmacist Salary in Iowa: $142,751 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $142,751/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $157,910 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Dubuque ($145,390), Iowa City ($142,530), Cedar Falls ($141,647).
In 2026, the average median salary for pharmacists in Iowa is projected to be $142,751, which is slightly below the national median salary of $143,489 by 0.5%. The highest paying city in Iowa is Dubuque, where pharmacists can earn $148,051, while the lowest is Fort Dodge, with salaries around $130,974. This $17,077 difference can be attributed to various factors, such as local cost of living, demand for specialized services, and the overall economic environment of each city. Iowa pharmacists must navigate state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws that can vary by region. A steady demand for healthcare services, particularly in urban areas like Iowa City and Des Moines, is increasing job opportunities, contributing to an estimated annual growth rate of 1.83%. In 2026, the number of employed pharmacists in Iowa is projected to be 2,466, indicating a stable job market. Cities like Iowa City, Cedar Falls, and Davenport also reflect competitive salaries ranging from $143,122 to $145,138, further highlighting the regional variations in compensation and employment opportunities. Overall, while salaries in Iowa are slightly lower than the national average, the job outlook remains positive.
Iowa Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $96,404 (lowest entry-level) to $176,237 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa pharmacists earn 0.51% less than the national median ($-738/year difference).
Iowa Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in Iowa range from $119,634 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $167,197 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $142,751. The Iowa median is $738 below the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $68.63/hr. Approximately 2,466 pharmacists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$119,962
2025 BLS Actual
$140,186
2026 Current Est.
$142,751
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,962 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,035 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,095 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,725 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,269 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,361 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,186 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,751 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,364 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 16.9% from $119,962 (2019) to $140,186 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,402 (21.18%) 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 1.83% 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 |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $130,974 |
| Johnston | $132,433 |
| Ottumwa | $132,755 |
| Muscatine | $133,260 |
| Clinton | $133,892 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque | $148,051 | 87.328 | $169,534 |
| Sioux City | $142,155 | 86.454 | $164,428 |
| Waterloo | $141,228 | 87.057 | $162,225 |
| Davenport | $143,122 | 89.079 | $160,669 |
| Ames | $142,246 | 88.83 | $160,133 |
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) | $119,634 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $142,751 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $167,197 |
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 | Dubuque | $148,051 |
| 2 | Iowa City | $145,138 |
| 3 | Cedar Falls | $144,239 |
| 4 | Des Moines | $143,692 |
| 5 | Davenport | $143,122 |
| 6 | Ames | $142,246 |
| 7 | Sioux City | $142,155 |
| 8 | West Des Moines | $141,836 |
| 9 | Waterloo | $141,228 |
| 10 | Marion | $140,302 |
| 11 | Ankeny | $138,664 |
| 12 | Council Bluffs | $137,793 |
| 13 | Burlington | $137,004 |
| 14 | Waukee | $136,510 |
| 15 | Urbandale | $136,328 |
| 16 | Bettendorf | $136,317 |
| 17 | Cedar Rapids | $135,963 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $135,896 |
| 19 | Coralville | $135,717 |
| 20 | Mason City | $135,088 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $134,558 |
| 22 | Clinton | $133,892 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $133,260 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $132,755 |
| 25 | Johnston | $132,433 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $130,974 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacists.
Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in Iowa?
How does Iowa pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacist salary in Iowa?
How many pharmacists are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for pharmacists?
Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
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 1.83% 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 pharmacist compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacistscontribute 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 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov