Pharmacy Technician salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Pharmacy Technicians in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $40,950 a year ($19.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,450 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $45,750. Pay here is 9% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $44,860. There are 3.2 pharmacy technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pharmacy technicians in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| 25th percentile | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Median | $40,950 | $19.69 |
| 75th percentile | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,450 | $24.25 |
| Average (mean) | $43,550 | $20.94 |
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 | $3,412.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,706.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,575 |
| Weekly | $787.50 |
| Hourly | $19.69 |
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 |
| 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 |
See Pharmacy Technician pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Paramedic | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Surgical Technologist | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
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 29-2052. 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for pharmacy technicians in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $40,950 a year, or $19.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacy technicians make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of pharmacy technicians in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $50,450 a year. The top 25% earn $47,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacy technicians in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,810 a year, and a quarter of pharmacy technicians earn $37,790 or less.
How many pharmacy technicians work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 270 pharmacy technicians are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.