Pharmacist Salary in Iowa City, IA: $145,138 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Iowa City, IA earns a median $145,138/year (≈ $69.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $158,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Iowa City, Iowa, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $145,138, slightly above the national median of $143,489. The salary range for pharmacists in the area spans from $122,512 at the 10th percentile to $166,859 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the potential for significant earnings based on experience and specialization. Those in hospital or specialty roles, particularly with residency training, command a premium that reflects the complexities of their work. Such financial dynamics illustrate a robust market for pharmacists in Iowa City, driven by evolving healthcare needs and the increased demand for clinical roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $122,512 | $58.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,872 | $60.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,138 | $69.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,138 | $69.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,859 | $80.22 |
Median Salary Position
1.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,347 (2026 est.). At $145,138, the local median is 1.15% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be above the median
How Iowa City Pharmacist Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $145,138/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $142,712 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +1.15% more |
Pharmacists in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $145,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.70% above the Iowa state average of $142,712.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $145,138 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $158,605 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,170
2025 BLS Actual
$142,530
2026 Current Est.
$145,138
2019–2027 Growth
+24.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,138 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,794 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 19.6% from $119,170 (2019) to $142,530 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,794 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,624 (24.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $122,512 – $125,872 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,872 – $145,138 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,138 – $145,138 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,138 – $166,859 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Iowa City
The local job market is currently home to around 450 pharmacists, indicating a solid demand for qualified professionals despite the challenges posed by a contracting retail pharmacy sector. With a cost of living index of 91.509, salaries in Iowa City offer relatively strong purchasing power compared to many urban areas. High-paying employers include hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacy providers, which tend to offer more lucrative compensation than traditional retail chains like CVS or Walgreens. Factors influencing pay include the specialized training required for hospital roles, including residency, board certifications such as BPS, and shifts in demand related to retail consolidations. For those looking to optimize their pharmacist pay in Iowa City, pursuing advanced credentials and seeking positions in growing fields such as mail-order operations or specialty clinics can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Iowa City, 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 $142,530 for pharmacistsin the Iowa City 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