How much does a Pharmacist make in Iowa?

The average Pharmacist salary in Iowa is around $138,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $100,957 annually ($8,413/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Pharmacist in Iowa?

On a $138,000 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $100,957/year or $8,413/month. Federal tax: $21,854. State tax: $4,632. FICA: $0.00.

Is $138,000 a good Pharmacist salary?

$138,000 is a strong salary for a Pharmacist — above the national median. In Iowa, demand for this role is active.

How do Iowa taxes affect Pharmacist salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $138,000 is $4,632. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 26.8%.

What are the career growth prospects for Pharmacists?

3% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average). Related roles include: Clinical Pharmacist, Retail Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician.

How can a Pharmacist in Iowa reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Healthcare

Pharmacist Salary in Iowa (2026)

The average Pharmacist in Iowa earns around $138,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $100,957/year ($8,413/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$100,957
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$8,413
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$3,883
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$49/hr
Federal Tax	$21,854
State Tax	$4,632
FICA Taxes	$10,557
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	26.84%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Got a year-end bonus, sign-on, or retention payout? See the bonus calculator →

1099 contract work or side gigs? Self-employment tax adds 15.3% on top. Open the 1099 tax calculator →

Working overtime? The 2025 OBBBA deduction may save you up to $12,500 on federal tax. Open the No Tax on Overtime calculator →

Key terms:···

Pharmacist Salary Ranges in Iowa

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$118,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$138,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$168,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all Pharmacists earn the same — not even close

Iowa's pharmacy market is anchored by University of Iowa College of Pharmacy Iowa City (the substantial UI College of Pharmacy + UI Pharmaceuticals + the substantial UI Pharmacy ranking + the only IA public PharmD-granting institution + the substantial UI Pharmacy clinical research), Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Des Moines (the substantial Drake PharmD + the substantial Drake Health Sciences), UnityPoint Health Pharmacy Network (largest IA-HQ multi-state + UnityPoint Methodist Des Moines Pharmacy + UnityPoint multi-state IA + IL + WI), UIHC Pharmacy + Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Pharmacy + Stead Family Childrens Pharmacy, MercyOne Trinity Health Pharmacy + Genesis Davenport Pharmacy + Mercy Iowa City Pharmacy, the substantial Hy-Vee Pharmacy ~285 stores Midwest + Walgreens IA + CVS IA + Costco Pharmacy, plus the substantial IA pharma R&D (Iowa State Drug Discovery + the substantial UI Pharmaceuticals contract manufacturing).

Senior Clinical Pharmacist (Holden Cancer)

$135,000–$185,000+ bonus

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center · the only IA NCI oncology pharmacy

Senior Clinical Pharmacist (UIHC / UnityPoint)

$118,000–$162,000+ bonus

UIHC + UnityPoint Methodist + MercyOne · acute clinical pharmacy

Senior Pharmacy Owner / Independent

$148,000–$285,000+ profit

Independent retail pharmacy owner · the substantial IA independent pharmacy + rural IA

Senior Pharmacist (Hy-Vee / Walgreens / CVS)

$118,000–$152,000+ bonus

Retail pharmacy at IA chain · Hy-Vee ~285 stores + Walgreens + CVS + Costco IA

Senior Pharmaceutical Industry (UI Pharmaceuticals)

$118,000–$185,000+ TC

UI Pharmaceuticals contract manufacturing + Iowa State Drug Discovery · pharma R&D

Senior Hospital Pharmacist (Stead Family Childrens)

$115,000–$158,000+ bonus

Stead Family Childrens Hospital UIHC · pediatric clinical pharmacy

Senior Specialty Pharmacist (UnityPoint / MercyOne)

$125,000–$172,000+ bonus

UnityPoint + MercyOne Specialty Pharmacy · oncology + biologics + high-cost meds

Senior Federal Civilian (VA Iowa City)

$115,000–$162,000

VA Iowa City + VA Central Iowa Des Moines · GS-13/14 federal civilian pharmacy

Mid-Career Pharmacist (3-7 yrs)

$108,000–$138,000

Functional pharmacist at IA health systems · transitioning to senior band

New Pharmacist (PGY-1 / Staff)

$92,000–$118,000

New PharmD at UnityPoint + UIHC + UnityPoint PGY-1 + retail · entry band

Worth knowing: University of Iowa College of Pharmacy + Drake University College of Pharmacy + UI Pharmaceuticals tri-anchor is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state pharmacy education + contract manufacturing anchor and a feature most national pharmacy surveys understate for IA. UI College of Pharmacy (the only IA public PharmD-granting institution + the substantial UI College of Pharmacy clinical research + UI Pharmaceuticals substantial contract pharmaceutical manufacturing + the substantial UI Pharmacy national ranking + the substantial UI College of Pharmacy residency programs + the substantial UI Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD) supports substantial IA pharmacy pipeline. Drake University College of Pharmacy Des Moines (the substantial Drake PharmD + the substantial Drake Health Sciences + the substantial Drake-MercyOne partnership) supports broad IA PharmD. UnityPoint Health Pharmacy + UIHC + Holden Cancer (only IA NCI oncology pharmacy) + Stead Family Childrens + MercyOne + Genesis + Mercy Iowa City supports substantial IA health system pharmacy. The substantial Hy-Vee Pharmacy ~285 stores Midwest + Walgreens + CVS + Costco IA retail. IA flat 3.8% + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 anchor the IA pharmacy proposition.