Pharmacist Salary in Waterloo, IA: $141,228 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Waterloo, IA earns a median $141,228/year (≈ $67.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Waterloo's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.1), that paycheck buys what $162,225 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterloo, Iowa, pharmacists can expect a median annual salary of $141,228 in 2026. This figure reflects the structural divide in pay rates within the profession, where hospital clinical specialists generally earn more than retail pharmacists, particularly those in higher-level positions like the pharmacy-in-charge (PIC) or retail staff. The salary range for pharmacists in Waterloo runs from $105,862 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $168,529 at the higher end (90th percentile), indicating substantial earning potential based on experience, setting, and certification. This data, derived from BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the different compensation dynamics influenced by the growing demand for specialized roles as the healthcare landscape evolves in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,862 | $50.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,469 | $61.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,228 | $67.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,240 | $77.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,529 | $81.03 |
Median Salary Position
1.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterloo
In Waterloo, IA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,667 (2026 est.). At $141,228, the local median is 1.58% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Waterloo: You'd be above the median
How Waterloo Pharmacist Pay Compares
Waterloo median: $141,228/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterloo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $142,655 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -1.58% less |
Pharmacists in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $141,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.58% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.00% below the Iowa state average of $142,655.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterloo has a cost of living 12.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterloo, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.057 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $141,228 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $162,225 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,080
2025 BLS Actual
$138,690
2026 Current Est.
$141,228
2019–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,228 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,812 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterloo metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 19.5% from $116,080 (2019) to $138,690 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,812 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,732 (23.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterloo 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) | $105,862 – $128,469 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,469 – $141,228 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,228 – $160,240 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,240 – $168,529 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Waterloo
With around 160 pharmacists currently employed in the Waterloo region, the market shows solid demand despite a national contraction in retail pharmacy due to chain store closures. Additionally, the cost of living index of 87.057 suggests that the purchasing power for pharmacists is relatively favorable compared to national averages. Those looking to maximize their pharmacist pay in Waterloo, IA, should consider targeting high-paying employers such as hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialty pharmacies that often offer higher salaries than conventional retail chains like CVS or Walgreens. Factors such as board certification stipends, overnight shift differentials, and residency training premiums significantly influence salary potential. As the market continues to evolve, particularly post-2024 with retail chain consolidations, pharmacists who pursue advanced certifications or specialties may find themselves in a stronger position to negotiate salaries that meet their expectations and reflect their expertise.
More salary data for Waterloo, 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 $138,690 for pharmacistsin the Waterloo 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