Pharmacist Salary in Urbandale, IA: $136,328 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Urbandale, IA earns a median $136,328/year (≈ $65.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $150,805 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In light of recent retail chain consolidations, the pharmacist salary in Urbandale, Iowa has stabilized at a median annual income of $136,328 for 2026. This number reflects a competitive local landscape, given the salary range that stretches from $101,650 at the 10th percentile to $162,736 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost factors, indicate a slightly lower earning potential compared to the national median of $143,489. As Urbandale's healthcare landscape evolves, particularly in a post-COVID environment, the opportunities for pharmacists are diverse, suggesting that professionals in this area can find roles that enhance both their skill set and their earning potential.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,650 | $48.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,097 | $61.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,328 | $65.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,643 | $74.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,736 | $78.24 |
Median Salary Position
4.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,086 (2026 est.). At $136,328, the local median is 4.99% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be above the median
How Urbandale Pharmacist Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $136,328/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $142,752 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -4.99% less |
Pharmacists in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $136,328 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.99% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $142,752.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $136,328 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,805 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$121,698
2025 BLS Actual
$133,878
2026 Current Est.
$136,328
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,698 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,287 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,154 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,125 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,284 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,878 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,328 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,823 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $121,698 (2019) to $133,878 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,823 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,125 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $101,650 – $128,097 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,097 – $136,328 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,328 – $154,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,643 – $162,736 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Urbandale
The local job market for pharmacists in Urbandale is relatively modest, with only 12 pharmacists currently employed in the area. This scant availability of positions correlates with a lower cost-of-living index of 90.4, which means that despite the median salary being competitive, the purchasing power for pharmacists is actually quite favorable in the context of local expenses. Among potential employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies are known to offer the highest salaries, driven by the demand for clinical specialists and the complexity of services provided. Factors influencing salary variance include board certifications, shift differentials, and the increasingly high premium placed on residency-trained pharmacists. With ongoing changes in the retail sector, pharmacists aspiring to maximize their pay in Urbandale should consider these higher-paying sectors while remaining adaptable to the evolving healthcare needs of the community.
More salary data for Urbandale, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Urbandale, IA in 2026?
Is Urbandale, IA a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Urbandale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Urbandale?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Urbandale?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $133,878 for pharmacistsin the Urbandale metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Urbandale 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