Pharmacy Technician Salary in Muscatine, IA: $43,206 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Muscatine, IA earns a median $43,206/year (≈ $20.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Muscatine's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $47,794 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Muscatine, Iowa, earn a median annual salary of $43,206, which is notably lower than the national median of $48,239. The salary range for this position spans from $37,674 at the 10th percentile to $54,645 at the 90th percentile, indicating some variation based on skillset and work environment. In Muscatine, technicians often find that hospital settings, especially those involving sterile compounding compliant with USP <797> and <800> regulations, tend to offer higher pay compared to retail positions. The salary data reflects estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, adjusted to account for the local cost of living and market conditions.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,674 | $18.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,428 | $18.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,206 | $20.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,337 | $22.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,645 | $26.28 |
Median Salary Position
10.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muscatine
In Muscatine, IA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,971 (2026 est.). At $43,206, the local median is 10.43% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muscatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muscatine Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Muscatine median: $43,206/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muscatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $46,259 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -10.43% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $43,206 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.43% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $46,259.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muscatine 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.
Muscatine, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $43,206 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,794 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,408
2025 BLS Actual
$40,977
2026 Current Est.
$43,206
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,408 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,438 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,907 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,847 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,096 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,772 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,977 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,206 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,557 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muscatine metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $30,408 (2019) to $40,977 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,557 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,149 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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) | $37,674 – $38,428 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,428 – $43,206 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,206 – $46,337 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,337 – $54,645 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Muscatine
Currently, there are five pharmacy technicians employed in Muscatine, which highlights the limited job market for this profession in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, local pay may feel stretched relative to purchasing power. Large employers such as hospital pharmacies tend to compensate more generously than retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, which may offer fewer incentives. Factors contributing to salary disparities include certification stipends for those with CSPT credentials, shift differentials, and overall wage scales across hospital and retail environments. For those aiming to maximize their earning potential, pursuing advanced certifications and considering roles in inpatient pharmacies or specialty areas will be key strategies in the Muscatine market.
More salary data for Muscatine, 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
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 $40,977 for pharmacy techniciansin the Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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