Pharmacy Technician Salary in Urbandale, IA: $44,200 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Urbandale, IA earns a median $44,200/year (≈ $21.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $48,894 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $44,200 for pharmacy technicians in Urbandale, IA, local professionals can expect compensation that reflects the challenges and shift differentials typical in the field. The salary range spans from $36,725 at the 10th percentile to $56,953 at the 90th percentile, presenting a significant opportunity for those with specialized skills or certifications such as CSPT. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, suggesting that while Urbandale's pay may be lower than the national median of $48,239, the local market is adapting to recent economic pressures and workforce demands.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,725 | $17.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,707 | $22.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,953 | $27.38 |
Median Salary Position
8.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,228 (2026 est.). At $44,200, the local median is 8.37% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $44,200/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $46,283 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -8.37% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $44,200 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.37% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $46,283.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $44,200 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,894 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$31,108
2025 BLS Actual
$41,920
2026 Current Est.
$44,200
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,108 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,162 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,664 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,626 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,926 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,549 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,200 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $31,108 (2019) to $41,920 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,497 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $36,725 – $37,460 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,460 – $44,200 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,200 – $47,707 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,707 – $56,953 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Urbandale
Despite a total workforce of just 12 pharmacy technicians in the area, the job market in Urbandale shows potential for growth, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.44%. The cost-of-living index stands at 90.4, indicating that wages might stretch further in this lower-cost environment compared to national averages, positively impacting take-home pay. Retail chains like CVS and Walgreens often lead in compensation, though established hospital settings and specialty pharmacies might offer higher wages given the complexities involved, especially in sterile compounding (USP <797> / <800>). This variation in pay largely hinges on specific roles and certifications, with significant advantages for technicians working night shifts or those employed in high-demand hospital environments. For pharmacy technicians looking to maximize their earnings in Urbandale, pursuing additional credentials and flexible shift options can be worthwhile strategies.
More salary data for Urbandale, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Urbandale, IA in 2026?
Is Urbandale, IA a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Urbandale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacy technician salary in Urbandale?
How much does a pharmacy technician make per hour in Urbandale?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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 $41,920 for pharmacy techniciansin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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