Pharmacist salary in Iowa
Pharmacists in Iowa earn a median of $138,860 a year ($66.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $117,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,520 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $140,910. Iowa ranks 29th of 51 states for pharmacists pay. There are 2.1 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $138,340, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $117,450 | $56.47 |
| 25th percentile | $127,840 | $61.46 |
| Median | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| 75th percentile | $157,880 | $75.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,520 | $79.10 |
| Average (mean) | $138,340 | $66.51 |
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 | $11,571.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,785.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,340.77 |
| Weekly | $2,670.38 |
| Hourly | $66.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacist salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Ames, IA | $139,690 | 70 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,560 | $46.90 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,190 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Dentists, General | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Veterinarian | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| Chiropractor | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,690 | $34.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for pharmacists in Iowa is $138,860 a year, or $66.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $117,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of pharmacists in Iowa earn at least $164,520 a year. The top 25% earn $157,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $117,450 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $127,840 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Iowa?
About 3,230 pharmacists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.