Pharmacists Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $133,390 -3% vs national
Median hourly $64.13
10th percentile $89,510
90th percentile $165,410
Employed locally 770
National median $137,480

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Pharmacists
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Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $89,510
    25th
    $126,420
    50th (median)
    $133,390
    75th
    $150,280
    90th
    $165,410

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Pharmacists salary vs area income 158% Median Pharmacists salary is 58% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Pharmacists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $203,950
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $196,250
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $183,510
    Vallejo, CA $177,530
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $174,810
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $173,510

    Nearby metros — Pharmacists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $167,910
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $167,040
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $165,810
    California $165,150
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $165,150
    Visalia, CA $164,840

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $78,970
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,120
    Pharmacy Technicians $43,610
    Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other $47,630
    Medical Records Specialists $52,370
    Physical Therapists $98,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Pharmacists make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Pharmacists in Des Moines, IA is $64.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $79.28 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Pharmacists salaries?

    The median Pharmacists salary in Des Moines, IA is 3% below the national median of $137,480. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Pharmacists in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Pharmacists (10th percentile) earn around $89,510 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $126,420.