Pharmacist salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Pharmacists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $138,690 a year ($66.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,500 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $140,910. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $138,860. There are 1.9 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $134,590, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,960 | $49.98 |
| 25th percentile | $126,160 | $60.65 |
| Median | $138,690 | $66.68 |
| 75th percentile | $157,360 | $75.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,500 | $79.57 |
| Average (mean) | $134,590 | $64.71 |
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 | $11,557.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,778.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,334.23 |
| Weekly | $2,667.12 |
| Hourly | $66.68 |
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 |
| Ames, IA | $139,690 | 70 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $139,600 | 120 |
| 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,990 | $138.46 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,200 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,240 | $47.23 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Dentists, General | $163,600 | $78.66 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,880 | $63.89 |
| Veterinarian | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Chiropractor | $63,280 | $30.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for pharmacists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $138,690 a year, or $66.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of pharmacists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $165,500 a year. The top 25% earn $157,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,960 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $126,160 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 160 pharmacists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.