Pharmacist Salary in Bettendorf, IA: $136,317 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Bettendorf, IA earns a median $136,317/year (≈ $65.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Bettendorf's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $150,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Pharmacist salaries in Bettendorf, IA, present a nuanced picture influenced by recent trends in the retail pharmacy sector. With a projected median annual salary of $136,317 for 2026, local pharmacists can expect compensation that, while competitive, is somewhat lower than the national average of $143,489. The salary range in this city spans from $101,768 at the 10th percentile to $167,525 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of roles and settings available to pharmacists here. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, suggest a solid earning potential for pharmacy professionals, particularly as the job market grapples with the impacts of retail chain consolidation and an ongoing shift towards specialized healthcare services in hospitals and ambulatory care clinics.
About the Bettendorf Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,768 | $48.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,074 | $61.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,317 | $65.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,658 | $75.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,525 | $80.54 |
Median Salary Position
5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bettendorf
In Bettendorf, IA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,757 (2026 est.). At $136,317, the local median is 5% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Bettendorf: You'd be above the median
How Bettendorf Pharmacist Pay Compares
Bettendorf median: $136,317/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bettendorf Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $142,740 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -5.00% less |
Pharmacists in Bettendorf, IA earn a median of $136,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.00% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $142,740.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bettendorf 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.
Bettendorf, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $136,317 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,793 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,688
2025 BLS Actual
$133,867
2026 Current Est.
$136,317
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Bettendorf (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,688 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,277 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,144 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,115 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,231 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,275 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,867 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,317 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,811 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bettendorf metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $121,688 (2019) to $133,867 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,811 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,123 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bettendorf 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $101,768 – $128,074 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,074 – $136,317 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,317 – $157,658 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,658 – $167,525 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Bettendorf
Employers representing the highest pharmacist pay in Bettendorf include major retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens, alongside specialized roles in hospital pharmacies and mail-order operations like Express Scripts. Currently, there are 10 pharmacists employed in the area, which contributes to a competitive job environment despite a modestly low cost-of-living index of 90.4, providing greater take-home purchasing power for residents. Factors contributing to the pay variance include differences in job settings, such as hospital clinical specialists commanding higher salaries compared to retail positions, as well as added premiums for board certifications and shift differentials. Given the evolving landscape of pharmacy practice, those looking to increase their earnings should consider pursuing PGY-1 residencies or certifications from BPS, which may enhance their value in this changing job market.
More salary data for Bettendorf, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $133,867 for pharmacistsin the Bettendorf metropolitan area. A 1.83% 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 Bettendorf 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 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