Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in West Des Moines, IA: $23.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in West Des Moines, IA runs $23.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,521 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against West Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,108 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Des Moines, Iowa, the projected median hourly pay for pharmacy technicians stands at $23.32, slightly higher than the national median of $23.19. This competitive rate is indicative of opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers within various pharmacy settings, including retail counters, hospital sterile compounding environments, and long-term care facilities. Those beginning their careers in this field can expect to earn around $18.91, while top earners can make up to $31.08 per hour. The hourly estimates are derived from annual salary projections, illustrating the earnings potential as pharmacy technicians navigate entry-level roles through to more specialized positions, such as those involving USP <797>/<800> compliance.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.91 | $151.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.28 | $154.28 |
| Median (P50) | $23.32 | $186.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.64 | $205.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.08 | $248.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Des Moines
Based on $23.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.32/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $48,513 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,988. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $932.93 | $4,043 | $48,513 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $559.76 | $2,426 | $29,108 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $373.17 | $1,617 | $19,405 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (West Des Moines) | $23.32 |
| 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 West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $48,521 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 4.90% above the Iowa state average of $46,255.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.32/hr = $29,108/year (purchasing power: $32,199).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,513/year (purchasing power: $53,664).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in West Des Moines grew 34.8% from $16.41/hr (2019) to $22.12/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.59/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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines
Considering a part-time schedule, a pharmacy technician working three days a week, or 24 hours per week, could net about $27,328 annually, revealing significant differences compared to their full-time peers. The reality for per-diem pharmacy technician pay in West Des Moines shows a flexible salary range, with many billing between $20 and $32 per hour. Hospital roles in sterile compounding are particularly lucrative, with per-diem wages ranging from $25 to $40, while travel contracts can yield impressive weekly earnings of $1,200 to $1,800. Hourly rates vary greatly based on the employer, whether it be retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, or specialized settings such as mail-order pharmacies and compounding facilities. Some technicians may accept lower hourly rates for the benefits offered, such as health insurance, while others prioritize higher hourly wages even if it means foregoing benefits. Negotiating hourly pay effectively in West Des Moines can be beneficial; understanding the pay scales of different companies and utilizing local market data can give pharmacy technicians an edge in salary discussions.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in West Des Moines in 2026?
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Career Resources
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 West Des Moines. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for West Des Moines 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 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