Pharmacist Salary in Des Moines, IA: $143,692 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Des Moines, IA earns a median $143,692/year (≈ $69.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $156,696 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Des Moines, IA can expect a median annual salary of $143,692, reflecting a competitive pay structure in the Midwest. The salary range spans from $125,770 at the 10th percentile to $167,918 at the 90th percentile, derived from comprehensive data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. This compensation level places Des Moines just slightly above the national median of $143,489, which indicates favorable conditions for local pharmacists. The structural divide between hospital clinical specialists, retail pharmacists in charge, and staff pharmacists plays a significant role in determining salary differentiation, especially given recent shifts in employment trends due to chain store consolidations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $125,770 | $60.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,756 | $63.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,692 | $69.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,545 | $79.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,918 | $80.73 |
Median Salary Position
0.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,148 (2026 est.). At $143,692, the local median is 0.14% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Pharmacist Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $143,692/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $142,693 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +0.14% more |
Pharmacists in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $143,692 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.14% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.70% above the Iowa state average of $142,693.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $143,692 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,696 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,350
2025 BLS Actual
$141,110
2026 Current Est.
$143,692
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,692 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,322 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 18.2% from $119,350 (2019) to $141,110 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,322 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,972 (22.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $125,770 – $132,756 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,756 – $143,692 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,692 – $165,545 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,545 – $167,918 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Des Moines
With around 850 pharmacists practicing in the area, the local job market offers various opportunities, yet the cost-of-living index of 91.701 suggests a lower economic burden that translates to enhanced purchasing power for those in the profession. Notably, hospital pharmacies tend to offer higher compensation than retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, particularly for those with board certifications or PGY-1 residencies. This reflects the growing demand for specialized knowledge in an evolving pharmacy practice landscape, shifting focus toward ambulatory care and clinical roles. To optimize compensation, pharmacists should consider pursuing further credentials and actively seek positions within inpatient or specialty pharmacy settings, as these roles are better positioned to reward higher salaries amidst an increasingly competitive job market influenced by upcoming retail chain consolidations.
More salary data for Des Moines, 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 $141,110 for pharmacistsin the Des Moines 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