How Much Does a Pharmacy Tech Make in Iowa in 2026?

A typical Pharmacy Tech in Iowa earns about $21.57 per hour ($44,860 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $3,738 a month and $863 a week, figures calculated from the annual typical pay. Pay varies by city, employer, and experience, but this gives a starting point for what most Pharmacy Techs in the state bring home.

Iowa's pay sits about 2% below the national typical figure of $45,750 a year ($22.00 an hour), which is close to the same range but slightly lower. That puts Iowa 29th among 51 states and territories ranked for Pharmacy Tech pay. About 4,630 Pharmacy Techs work across the state, a workforce size that's modest compared with the national total of 471,680.

Entry-level positions in Iowa typically offer around $17.38 an hour, or about $36,140 a year, for Pharmacy Techs just starting out. Some entry-level roles run a bit higher, closer to $18.17 an hour or $37,790 a year, depending on the employer and setting. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $44,860 within the first few years on the job.

Experienced Pharmacy Techs in Iowa often earn upwards of $23.40 to $25.07 an hour, translating to roughly $48,670 to $52,150 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $52,150 annually. That's a spread of $16,010 between entry-level and top pay, a gap that typically reflects years on the job, work setting, and which city the position is in.

Iowa's typical Pharmacy Tech pay has climbed from $28,700 in 2015 to $44,860 in 2025, a gain of $16,160 over the decade. That's a 56% rise in typical annual pay over ten years. The increase has been steady year over year, without sharp jumps or drops along the way.

Nationally, typical Pharmacy Tech pay rose 50% over the same ten years, so Iowa's gain has outpaced the national trend by a few points. Pay has moved up steadily for a decade, though nothing about that trend guarantees future increases. Someone starting out now is entering the field at a higher starting point than techs did ten years ago.

Pay runs highest in Des Moines, where Pharmacy Techs typically earn $46,620 a year ($22.41 an hour), about 4% above the state figure. West Des Moines matches that figure exactly, and Dubuque follows close behind at $45,100 a year. Davenport and Cedar Rapids also post figures above $43,900, keeping eastern Iowa competitive with the state's top metro.

Ames posts the lowest typical figure among Iowa's metro areas, at $39,310 a year ($18.90 an hour), putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities at $7,310. Des Moines also has the largest Pharmacy Tech workforce in the state, with about 1,160 workers. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and lower pay in smaller cities like Ames usually tracks a lower cost of living.

Iowa's neighbors mostly pay more: Minnesota leads at $48,300 a year (8% higher), followed by Illinois and Nebraska at around $46,600 (4% higher), South Dakota at $46,170 (3% higher), and Wisconsin at $45,970 (2% higher). Missouri is the exception, paying 11% less than Iowa at $40,100 a year. Pharmacy Tech licensure or registration often transfers or can be endorsed between neighboring states, so a move across state lines doesn't always mean restarting the certification process.

Iowa's typical Pharmacy Tech pay stands at $44,860 a year ($21.57 an hour) as of May 2025, up 56% over the past decade. Pay is highest in Des Moines and lowest in Ames, with experience and city location driving most of the difference. Readers considering the field can check Iowa's pharmacy technician registration requirements through the state board of pharmacy, and compare figures for specific Iowa cities on their local pages.