Entry-Level Pharmacist Salary in Sioux City, IA: $110,058 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacists entering the Sioux City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $110,058 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux City's local price level (BEA RPP 86.5 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $127,302 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($142,155) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the pharmacy profession in Sioux City, Iowa, the starting pay for an entry-level pharmacist in 2026 is projected at $110,058 annually. While this figure may seem lower than the median salary of $142,155 for pharmacists in the city, it offers a solid foundation for a career in pharmacy. As entry-level professionals gain experience, they can anticipate salary growth that climbs through P25 at $131,697 and quickly approaches the median within the first few years. With a projected annual growth rate of 1.83%, the Sioux City market remains favorable for recent PharmD graduates seeking opportunities, especially given the relatively low cost of living index in the region.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux City
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 Sioux City
Entry-level pharmacists in Sioux City, IA typically start between $110,058 and $131,697 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $56,617 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $142,155 — 0.93% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Iowa of $130,000 represents just 118.12% of the starting pharmacist pay ($110,058/year) in Sioux City. 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 Sioux City
- 1Research the Sioux City market: entry-level pharmacist pay ranges from $110,058 to $131,697, 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 Sioux City, 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 Sioux City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux City'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 Sioux City is $56,617 ( 51.44%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $110,058, experienced hygienists can earn up to $166,675.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$106,100
2025 BLS Actual
$108,080
2026 Current Est.
$110,058
2019–2027 Growth
+5.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,058 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,072 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacist compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux City, IA grew 1.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $106,100 in 2019 to $108,080 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $112,072. New graduates entering the Sioux City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City 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 Sioux City
New pharmacists in Sioux City can find employment with various healthcare organizations, including major hospital systems that value residency training and offer PGY-1 positions, which can enhance both skill sets and salaries. Retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens continue to be key employers, although sign-on bonuses have tapered from their peak during 2021-2022, reflecting changes in the retail landscape due to location closures. Moreover, possessing advanced credentials such as board certifications from BPS can significantly boost starting salaries. Given the ongoing shifts in the pharmacy field—where the demand for retail services is declining while opportunities in clinical roles and specialized sectors are rising—entry-level pharmacists should focus on obtaining experience in clinical settings or consider additional residency training. Realistic salary expectations in early career years typically reflect gradual increases; pharmacists who navigate the changing environment strategically will find opportunity in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Sioux City, 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 Sioux City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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