Pharmacy Aide salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Pharmacy Aides in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $35,120 a year ($16.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,680 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $37,680. Pay here is 6% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $33,270. There are 0.83 pharmacy aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,910, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacy aides in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| 25th percentile | $27,770 | $13.35 |
| Median | $35,120 | $16.89 |
| 75th percentile | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Average (mean) | $33,910 | $16.30 |
Half of pharmacy aides 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 | $2,926.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,463.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,350.77 |
| Weekly | $675.38 |
| Hourly | $16.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacy Aide salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $36,370 | 100 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $35,760 | 230 |
| Dubuque, IA | $35,440 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $35,070 | 50 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $31,850 | 50 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,220 | 50 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $31,140 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacy aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,960 |
| Utah | $51,600 |
| Hawaii | $46,250 |
| Washington | $45,110 |
| Arizona | $43,360 |
| California | $42,200 |
| Oregon | $40,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,470 |
| Nevada | $39,080 |
| Texas | $38,630 |
See Pharmacy Aide pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Massage Therapist | $76,090 | $36.58 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,020 | $21.64 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,940 | $21.13 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Orderly | $37,090 | $17.83 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9095. 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 pharmacy aide make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for pharmacy aides in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $35,120 a year, or $16.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacy aides make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of pharmacy aides in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $43,680 a year. The top 25% earn $37,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacy aides in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,260 a year, and a quarter of pharmacy aides earn $27,770 or less.
How many pharmacy aides work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 340 pharmacy aides are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.