Pharmacist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Pharmacists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $141,110 a year ($67.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 850 workers.
Pay ranges from $123,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,900 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $140,910. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $138,860. There are 2.1 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $140,670, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $123,510 | $59.38 |
| 25th percentile | $130,370 | $62.68 |
| Median | $141,110 | $67.84 |
| 75th percentile | $162,570 | $78.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,900 | $79.28 |
| Average (mean) | $140,670 | $67.63 |
Half of pharmacists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,759.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,879.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,427.31 |
| Weekly | $2,713.65 |
| Hourly | $67.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $141,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Pharmacist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $145,390 | 140 |
| Iowa City, IA | $142,530 | 450 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $141,830 | 1,350 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $140,550 | 300 |
| Ames, IA | $139,690 | 70 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $139,600 | 120 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $138,690 | 160 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $133,520 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 |
| Oregon | $165,960 |
| California | $164,610 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 |
| Washington | $160,610 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 |
| Colorado | $156,030 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 |
| Delaware | $152,880 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 |
See Pharmacist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,790 | $47.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | $148.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Dentists, General | $209,300 | $100.62 |
| Occupational Therapist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,830 | $64.34 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Chiropractor | $74,810 | $35.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,820 | $31.64 |
| Veterinarian | $130,900 | $62.93 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,650 | $36.37 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for pharmacists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $141,110 a year, or $67.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $123,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of pharmacists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $164,900 a year. The top 25% earn $162,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $123,510 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $130,370 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 850 pharmacists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.