Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $69.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Iowa City, IA runs $69.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,138 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $76.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,091 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, the pharmacist hourly pay in 2026 is projected to be $69.78, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $68.99. This figure is vital for individuals considering part-time or per-diem pharmacist opportunities in various settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, and specialty clinics. For instance, working three days a week may yield a steady income reflective of this hourly rate, enabling flexibility while still earning a substantial paycheck. The hourly range for pharmacists in Iowa City spans from $58.90 at the entry-level (P10) to $80.22 for the top earners (P90), indicating a broad earning potential based on experience and employment type.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58.90 | $471.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.52 | $484.14 |
| Median (P50) | $69.78 | $558.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.78 | $558.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.22 | $641.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $69.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.78/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $145,151 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,741. With a cost-of-living index of 91.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,791.36 | $12,096 | $145,151 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,674.82 | $7,258 | $87,091 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,116.55 | $4,838 | $58,060 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Iowa City) | $69.78 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $145,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.70% above the Iowa state average of $142,712.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.78/hr = $87,091/year (purchasing power: $95,172).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,151/year (purchasing power: $158,619).
CoL index: 91.509 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Iowa City grew 19.6% from $57.29/hr (2019) to $68.53/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.06/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacist in Iowa City
Examining part-time earning potential, a pharmacist working 24 hours per week at the median hourly rate would earn approximately $87,225 annually. This presents a competitive alternative to full-time commitments for those balancing other responsibilities or pursuing further certifications like residency programs. Per diem roles offer varied pay scales, with retail pharmacists typically earning between $55-$75 per hour and hospital pharmacists ranging from $60-$85 per hour. Specialty roles, particularly in oncology or critical care, command higher rates, typically between $70-$95 per hour. Differences in hourly wages reflect the employer type, as retail chains may pay less than inpatient hospitals or specialty pharmacies, where benefits might make accepting a lower rate more appealing. When negotiating, pharmacists can emphasize experience with specialty medications or recent certifications to secure better pay while weighing the importance of benefits like health insurance against a potentially higher hourly wage without them.
More salary data for Iowa 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists in Iowa City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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