Pharmacy Technician Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $44,676 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $44,676/year (≈ $21.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $49,420 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, pharmacy technicians can anticipate a median annual salary of $44,676 in 2026, a figure that's approximately 7.39% lower than the national median of $48,239. The salary range for these professionals spans from $35,188 at the lower end (P10) to $58,610 for the highest earners (P90). Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities reflect the current job market dynamics. The potential premium for those with the CSPT credential, particularly in sterile compounding settings, significantly enhances earning potential, marking a clear distinction in salary levels compared to those in basic retail roles. As Council Bluffs continues to navigate fluctuations in employment dynamics, the demand for qualified pharmacy technicians remains steady.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,188 | $16.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,775 | $17.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,676 | $21.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,393 | $23.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,610 | $28.17 |
Median Salary Position
7.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,422 (2026 est.). At $44,676, the local median is 7.39% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $44,676/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $46,248 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -7.39% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $44,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.39% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $46,248.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $44,676 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,420 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,443
2025 BLS Actual
$42,371
2026 Current Est.
$44,676
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,443 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,508 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,026 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,999 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,324 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,921 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,371 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,676 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,106 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $31,443 (2019) to $42,371 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,106 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,663 (49.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,188 – $36,775 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,775 – $44,676 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,676 – $49,393 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,393 – $58,610 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Council Bluffs
Across the local market, twelve pharmacy technicians are currently employed in Council Bluffs, representing a tightly knit community impacted by both health care trends and economic variables. The cost-of-living index stands at 90.4, indicating that wages, while slightly below national averages, can still afford a reasonable standard of living. Among the local employers, hospital pharmacies typically offer the highest compensation, particularly for technicians involved in sterile compounding in compliance with USP <797> / <800>, as they command a premium over their retail counterparts at CVS and Walgreens. The spread in salaries can be attributed to several factors including the type of pharmacy setting, specialized certifications like the CSPT, and potential pay differentials for shifts at night or weekends. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring pharmacy technicians should consider pursuing advanced certifications and seeking positions in hospital or specialty pharmacy settings, where the pay scales tend to reflect the higher responsibilities and skill requirements.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $42,371 for pharmacy techniciansin the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. A 5.44% 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 Council Bluffs 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