Pharmacist Salary

Burlington vs Davenport: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Burlington, IA and Davenport, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, IA
$137,004
$65.86/hr
Davenport, IA
$143,122
$68.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, IADavenport, IA
Median Salary$137,004$143,122
Hourly Rate$65.86$68.81
Entry Level (P10)$101,814$116,331
25th Percentile$128,478$132,287
75th Percentile$153,638$161,065
Top Earner (P90)$160,030$165,199
Total Employed4300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($137,004) and Davenport ($143,122) pharmacist salaries.BurlingtonDavenportMedian Salary$137,004$143,122Entry Level (P10)$101,814$116,331Top Earner (P90)$160,030$165,199US Median $143,489

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Burlington.

The salary gap between Burlington and Davenport is $6,118 (4.47%). Davenport's median is -0.26% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $58,216,Davenport spans $48,868. Burlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$101,814
P25$128,478
Median$137,004
P75$153,638
P90 (Top)$160,030
Davenport
P10 (Entry)$116,331
P25$132,287
Median$143,122
P75$161,065
P90 (Top)$165,199

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($160,669 effective) pays 6.01% more than Burlington ($151,553 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $137,004
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $151,553
Davenport
Nominal: $143,122
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $160,669

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,122/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($165,199)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $160,669)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Burlington grew 19.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.7% growth in Davenport over the same period.

Burlington, IA

+19.2%

$112,842 (2024) → $134,542 (2025)

Davenport, IA

+17.7%

$119,450 (2019) → $140,550 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Burlington or Davenport?

Davenport has a higher median pharmacist salary at $143,122/year, compared to Burlington at $137,004/year — a difference of $6,118 (4.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Davenport?

Burlington pharmacists earn $65.86/hr while Davenport hygienists earn $68.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Davenport as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Davenport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $151,553, Davenport = $160,669), job availability (4 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Burlington vs Davenport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $101,814 in Burlington and $116,331 in Davenport. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD

Career Analyst

Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Patel, PharmDData verified by Amina Al-Sayed, PharmD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov