Pharmacist Salary in Ottumwa, IA: $132,755 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Ottumwa, IA earns a median $132,755/year (≈ $63.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Ottumwa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $146,853 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, pharmacists in Ottumwa, Iowa, can anticipate a median annual salary of $132,755, which is lower than the national median of $143,489. The salary range here spans from $103,374 at the 10th percentile to $155,086 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a broad spectrum of earning potential. Salaries in Ottumwa reflect local market dynamics and cost-of-living factors, which, at an index of 90.4, suggest that housing and everyday expenses are relatively lower than the national average. Pharmacists with residency training often command a premium, especially in hospital or specialty roles, making it crucial for new graduates and practitioners to consider their career paths carefully.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,374 | $49.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,503 | $61.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,755 | $63.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,885 | $71.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,086 | $74.56 |
Median Salary Position
7.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ottumwa
In Ottumwa, IA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,712 (2026 est.). At $132,755, the local median is 7.48% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ottumwa: You'd be above the median
How Ottumwa Pharmacist Pay Compares
Ottumwa median: $132,755/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ottumwa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $142,747 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -7.48% less |
Pharmacists in Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $132,755 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.48% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $142,747.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ottumwa 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.
Ottumwa, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $132,755 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,853 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,508
2025 BLS Actual
$130,369
2026 Current Est.
$132,755
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Ottumwa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,508 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,082 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,952 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,819 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,854 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,342 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,369 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,755 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,184 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ottumwa metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $118,508 (2019) to $130,369 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,184 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,676 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ottumwa 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) | $103,374 – $127,503 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,503 – $132,755 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,755 – $148,885 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,885 – $155,086 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Ottumwa
In Ottumwa, the local pharmacist job market comprises only five practitioners, highlighting a tight-knit professional community. With a cost-of-living index that shows affordability, pharmacists may experience enhanced purchasing power relative to their earnings, although the figures suggest that local compensation lags behind national standards. Prominent employers, including hospital-based inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies like CVS Specialty, typically offer better pay, particularly for those with board certifications or additional credentials following a PGY-1 residency. Factors influencing the pay disparity include institutional shift differentials, additional certifications that earn stipends, and the evolving retail landscape, where consolidation among chains like CVS and Walgreens has changed traditional pay structures. For pharmacists seeking to maximize their salary in Ottumwa, focusing on higher-level clinical roles, pursuing residency training, or considering specialty certifications can provide a solid pathway to increased earnings.
More salary data for Ottumwa, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $130,369 for pharmacistsin the Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa 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