Pharmacist salary in Ames, IA
Pharmacists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $139,690 a year ($67.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $114,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,070 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $140,910. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $138,860. There are 1.3 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $138,250, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $114,540 | $55.07 |
| 25th percentile | $133,300 | $64.09 |
| Median | $139,690 | $67.16 |
| 75th percentile | $151,290 | $72.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,070 | $83.21 |
| Average (mean) | $138,250 | $66.47 |
Half of pharmacists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,640.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,820.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,372.69 |
| Weekly | $2,686.35 |
| Hourly | $67.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $145,390 | 140 |
| Iowa City, IA | $142,530 | 450 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $141,830 | 1,350 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $141,110 | 850 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $140,550 | 300 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $139,600 | 120 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $138,690 | 160 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $133,520 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 |
| Oregon | $165,960 |
| California | $164,610 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 |
| Washington | $160,610 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 |
| Colorado | $156,030 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 |
| Delaware | $152,880 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 |
See Pharmacist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
| Physical Therapist | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,000 | $119.23 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Dentists, General | $163,950 | $78.82 |
| Occupational Therapist | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| Chiropractor | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for pharmacists in the Ames, IA metro area is $139,690 a year, or $67.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $114,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of pharmacists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $173,070 a year. The top 25% earn $151,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $114,540 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $133,300 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Ames, IA?
About 70 pharmacists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.