Pharmacy Technician salary in Iowa
Pharmacy Technicians in Iowa earn a median of $44,860 a year ($21.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,150 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $45,750. Iowa ranks 29th of 51 states for pharmacy technicians pay. There are 3.0 pharmacy technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,340, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacy technicians in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| 25th percentile | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Median | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| 75th percentile | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,150 | $25.07 |
| Average (mean) | $44,340 | $21.32 |
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 | $3,738.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,869.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,725.38 |
| Weekly | $862.69 |
| Hourly | $21.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacy Technician salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Ames, IA | $39,310 | 140 |
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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Paramedic | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
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 29-2052. 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 Iowa?
The median salary for pharmacy technicians in Iowa is $44,860 a year, or $21.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacy technicians make in Iowa?
The top 10% of pharmacy technicians in Iowa earn at least $52,150 a year. The top 25% earn $48,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacy technicians in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,140 a year, and a quarter of pharmacy technicians earn $37,790 or less.
How many pharmacy technicians work in Iowa?
About 4,630 pharmacy technicians are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.