Entry-Level Pharmacist Salary in Burlington, IA: $101,814 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacists entering the Burlington, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $101,814 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $112,626 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($137,004) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates considering a position as a pharmacist in Burlington, IA, can expect starting salaries to be approximately $101,814 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum for entry-level pharmacists in the region, which has a projected median annual salary of $137,004. The gap between the starting salary and the median suggests room for growth as early-career professionals gain experience and develop their skills. Over the first three to five years, entry-level pharmacists can anticipate salary increases that may see them reach $128,478, illustrating a positive growth trajectory in this field despite economic fluctuations. Given these projections and the local job market dynamics, Burlington appears to be a reasonable area for new graduates to launch their careers.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Entry-level pharmacists in Burlington, IA typically start between $101,814 and $128,478 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $58,216 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $137,004 — 4.52% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Iowa of $130,000 represents just 127.68% of the starting pharmacist pay ($101,814/year) in Burlington. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACPE-accredited PharmD program data and AACP tuition survey reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type (public in-state vs. private).
PharmD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level pharmacist pay ranges from $101,814 to $128,478, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the pharmacy field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Pharmacist Compensation Range
The pharmacist wage spread in Burlington is $58,216 ( 57.18%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $101,814, experienced hygienists can earn up to $160,030.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$89,018
2025 BLS Actual
$99,984
2026 Current Est.
$101,814
2019–2027 Growth
+16.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,018 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,806 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,377 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,509 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,609 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,176 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,984 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,814 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,677 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacist compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, IA grew 12.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $89,018 in 2019 to $99,984 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $103,677. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your pharmacy Career in Burlington
In Burlington, several employers actively recruit new graduates, with larger hospital systems offering PGY-1 residency programs that provide an essential stepping stone for clinical career paths. Retail chains typically hire the highest number of non-residency new graduates, often offering sign-on bonuses that have recently decreased from previous peaks. Moreover, new pharmacists should focus on obtaining key credentials such as the PharmD from an ACPE-accredited program, passing the NAPLEX national exam, and the MPJE state law exam, as these qualifications can lead to improved starting pharmacist salary in Burlington. As the retail pharmacy market contracts, opportunities may arise within expanding hospital environments, specialty pharmacies, and managed care organizations. In terms of career strategy, prioritizing certain skills and possible residency training can be advantageous, particularly since pharmacists are increasingly required to possess a PGY-1 or PGY-2 residency for hospital roles. As the landscape evolves, those in their first few years can realistically expect incremental salary growth while adapting to the shifting demands of the profession.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new pharmacy graduates. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov