Pharmacist Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $135,963 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Cedar Rapids, IA earns a median $135,963/year (≈ $65.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Cedar Rapids's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $152,831 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for pharmacists in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is projected to be $135,963. This figure positions the local market at approximately 5.25% below the national median salary of $143,489. The salary for pharmacists in Cedar Rapids ranges from $124,497 at the 10th percentile to $168,386 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse pay structure influenced by various practice settings. In this market, hospital clinical specialists often command higher salaries compared to pharmacists in retail settings, such as pharmacy-in-charge (PIC) roles or staff positions at chains like CVS and Walgreens. This compensation dynamic is shaped by the evolving landscape of pharmacy services and the specific demands of different environments, offering opportunities for pharmacists who seek growth within the profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $124,497 | $59.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,735 | $63.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,963 | $65.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,788 | $77.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,386 | $80.95 |
Median Salary Position
5.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,889 (2026 est.). At $135,963, the local median is 5.25% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Rapids Pharmacist Pay Compares
Cedar Rapids median: $135,963/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $142,669 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -5.25% less |
Pharmacists in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $135,963 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.25% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.70% below the Iowa state average of $142,669.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living 11.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.963 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $135,963 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,831 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.41% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$118,080
2025 BLS Actual
$133,520
2026 Current Est.
$135,963
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,963 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,452 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 13.1% from $118,080 (2019) to $133,520 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,452 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,372 (17.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids 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) | $124,497 – $132,735 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,735 – $135,963 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,963 – $161,788 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,788 – $168,386 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Cedar Rapids
The job market for pharmacists in Cedar Rapids is relatively stable, with approximately 240 professionals employed in this field. The area's cost-of-living index, which stands at 88.963, suggests that salaries can offer a favorable purchasing power, making Cedar Rapids an attractive place for pharmacists to work. Employers that tend to pay the most include hospital inpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacies like Accredo, and mail-order services such as Express Scripts and OptumRx. Variations in pay within the profession are driven by several factors, such as role specialization, board certification stipends, and shift differentials. With recent retail chain consolidations, seeking opportunities in clinical and specialty settings can maximize salary. For those in Cedar Rapids looking to enhance their earning potential, pursuing board certifications or additional training in ambulatory care may be beneficial strategies to consider in this evolving pharmacy landscape.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Cedar Rapids, IA in 2026?
Is Cedar Rapids, IA a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Cedar Rapids?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Cedar Rapids?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Cedar Rapids?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $133,520 for pharmacistsin the Cedar Rapids 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
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