Pharmacy Technician salary in Ames, IA
Pharmacy Technicians in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $39,310 a year ($18.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,980 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $45,750. Pay here is 12% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $44,860. There are 2.6 pharmacy technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pharmacy technicians in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,510 | $16.11 |
| 25th percentile | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Median | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| 75th percentile | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Average (mean) | $42,750 | $20.55 |
Half of pharmacy technicians 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 | $3,275.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,637.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,511.92 |
| Weekly | $755.96 |
| Hourly | $18.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacy Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $47,290 | 1,330 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $46,620 | 1,160 |
| Dubuque, IA | $45,100 | 250 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,080 | 550 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $43,930 | 390 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,820 | 210 |
| Iowa City, IA | $43,500 | 460 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $40,950 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacy technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $58,900 |
| California | $55,110 |
| Oregon | $54,900 |
| Alaska | $52,640 |
| Colorado | $49,970 |
| Montana | $49,400 |
| Minnesota | $48,300 |
| Wyoming | $48,260 |
| Utah | $48,140 |
| Nevada | $47,980 |
See Pharmacy Technician pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $66,760 | $32.09 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $40,860 | $19.64 |
| Paramedic | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
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 29-2052. 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 technician make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for pharmacy technicians in the Ames, IA metro area is $39,310 a year, or $18.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacy technicians make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of pharmacy technicians in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $49,980 a year. The top 25% earn $48,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacy technicians in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,510 a year, and a quarter of pharmacy technicians earn $37,230 or less.
How many pharmacy technicians work in Ames, IA?
About 140 pharmacy technicians are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.