Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $22.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Iowa City, IA runs $22.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,866 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,515 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, the projected median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is $22.05, which falls slightly below the national median of $23.19. This hourly wage is significant for those in part-time or per-diem positions, particularly in environments such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty compounding areas. A typical part-time schedule of three days a week could yield $1,058.40 over a four-week period, offering a flexible option for those balancing other commitments. Entry-level pharmacy technicians can expect to earn around $18.77 per hour, while experienced professionals may command wages up to $32.15 per hour at top-tier positions, reflecting the diverse opportunities within pharmaceutical environments. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a reliable insight into compensation in this field.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.77 | $150.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.24 | $161.96 |
| Median (P50) | $22.05 | $176.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.48 | $203.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.15 | $257.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $22.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.05/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $45,859 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,457. 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) | $881.90 | $3,822 | $45,859 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $529.14 | $2,293 | $27,515 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $352.76 | $1,529 | $18,344 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Iowa City) | $22.05 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $45,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.92% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 0.90% below the Iowa state average of $46,283.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.05/hr = $27,515/year (purchasing power: $30,068).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,859/year (purchasing power: $50,114).
CoL index: 91.509 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Iowa City grew 17.2% from $17.84/hr (2019) to $20.91/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians 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 5.44% 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 Pharmacy Technician in Iowa City
Focusing on part-time employment, a pharmacy technician working just 24 hours a week can take home approximately $27,120 annually, which can be a sustainable option compared to full-time roles. Per-diem or agency pharmacy technicians generally bill $20-$32 an hour, with hospital sterile compounding roles potentially earning even higher rates of $25-$40 per hour due to ongoing labor shortages in that sector. For travel pharmacy technician contracts, weekly earnings can range from $1,200 to $1,800, particularly in crucial staffing areas. The hourly rates vary across different employer types in Iowa City, with higher wages typically found in hospital settings and specialty pharmacies. However, many technicians opt for positions that offer lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance. It's wise for workers to negotiate based on their unique circumstances, considering factors such as certification, prior experience, and whether they can afford to prioritize benefits over hourly pay.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD
Career Analyst
Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.
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 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians 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 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov