Pharmacist Salary in Burlington, IA: $137,004 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Burlington, IA earns a median $137,004/year (≈ $65.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $151,553 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for pharmacists in Burlington, Iowa, is set at $137,004 for 2026, demonstrating a competitive position within the industry, albeit 4.52% lower than the national median of $143,489. Local estimates predict a salary range from $101,814 at the lower 10th percentile to $160,030 at the upper 90th percentile, underscoring disparities based on role and setting. The local job landscape includes a distinct divide between hospital clinical specialists, retail pharmacy managers, and staff pharmacists, each carrying different compensatory implications due to factors like required certifications and workplace environment. With strong demand for pharmacy services continuing, Burlington offers an attractive opportunity for skilled pharmacists, particularly in the context of evolving pharmacy services and the influence of retail chain consolidations.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,814 | $48.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,478 | $61.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,004 | $65.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,638 | $73.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,030 | $76.93 |
Median Salary Position
4.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,216 (2026 est.). At $137,004, the local median is 4.52% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be above the median
How Burlington Pharmacist Pay Compares
Burlington median: $137,004/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $142,713 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -4.52% less |
Pharmacists in Burlington, IA earn a median of $137,004 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.52% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $142,713.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington 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.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $137,004 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,553 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,301
2025 BLS Actual
$134,542
2026 Current Est.
$137,004
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,301 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,893 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,751 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,883 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,842 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,542 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,004 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,511 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $122,301 (2019) to $134,542 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,511 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,210 (14.07%) from 2019.
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 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) | $101,814 – $128,478 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,478 – $137,004 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,004 – $153,638 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,638 – $160,030 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Burlington
Currently, Burlington employs four pharmacists, which illustrates a relatively small but stable local job market within the pharmacy sector. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 90.4, which indicates that living expenses are below the national average, pharmacists in the region can enjoy a more favorable take-home purchasing power relative to their salary. Among local employers, hospital facilities and specialty pharmacies tend to offer the highest pay, particularly for those who possess board certifications or have completed a PGY-1 residency. The disparity in salaries often reflects specific job roles—hospital clinical specialists usually command more than retail pharmacists, who are affected by increased competition and recent retail chain layoffs. For those looking to maximize their pharmacist pay in Burlington, pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles in health systems or specialty care, and being flexible with job settings can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Burlington, 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 $134,542 for pharmacistsin the Burlington 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 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 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