US
Waterloo, IA
Iowa salary market
$138K
Avg / Year
Near national
vs National
170
Employment
$11.5K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Pharmacist Salary in Waterloo, IA (2026)

The Pharmacist salary in Waterloo, IA for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Waterloo, IA market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Waterloo, IA city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$138K
per year
Entry Level
$89.5K
starting range
Senior Level
$146K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$141K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$11.5K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$64
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
Advertisement
Advertisement

Pharmacist Salary Overview in Waterloo, IA

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Pharmacist pay in Waterloo, IA at about $137,792 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $86,210.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $158,800.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Ia metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Cedar Falls.

If you’re comparing Pharmacist salaries in Waterloo, IA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Waterloo, IA vs. U.S. National Average

Waterloo, IA pays near national for Pharmacist roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$137K
all U.S. markets combined
+0%
Waterloo, IA Premium
Waterloo, IA City Average
$138K
Pharmacist
MarketProjected Salaryvs Waterloo, IAMarket Maturity
Waterloo, IA (this guide)$137,792BaselineLocal market
United States$137,480Near nationalNational baseline
Iowa City, IA$137,540Near nationalComparable city
Davenport, IA$134,060-3% vs U.S.Comparable city
Des Moines, IA$133,390-3% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Waterloo, IA pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Pharmacist Salary by Experience Level in Waterloo, IA

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Waterloo, IA, this breakdown shows how aPharmacist can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$126K
$66/hr median equivalent
$89.5K - $138K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$138K
$66/hr median equivalent
$126K - $146K
Senior
6-10 years
$146K
$66/hr median equivalent
$138K - $165K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$165K
$66/hr median equivalent
$146K - $201K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Pharmacist0-2 years$126,306$89,532.0 - $137,792-8% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Pharmacist3-5 years$137,792$126,306 - $146,329Near national
Senior Pharmacist6-10 years$146,329$137,792 - $164,918+6% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Pharmacist10+ years$164,918$146,329 - $201,200+20% vs U.S.
Advertisement

Best Salary Areas Near Waterloo, IA

Nearby metro areas help show how Pharmacist pay changes around Waterloo, IA. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Waterloo, IA
$138K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Ia metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Cedar Falls.
This guide
#2
Iowa City, IA
$138K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Pharmacist salaries around Waterloo, IA.
Near national
#3
Davenport, IA
$134K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Pharmacist salaries around Waterloo, IA.
-3% vs U.S.
#4
Des Moines, IA
$133K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Pharmacist salaries around Waterloo, IA.
-3% vs U.S.
#5
Sioux City, IA
$133K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Pharmacist salaries around Waterloo, IA.
-3% vs U.S.

Pharmacist Salary by Industry in Waterloo, IA

Industry premiums in Waterloo, IA usually come from employers that place the Pharmacist role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Other Services Except Public Administration$156,600$70,400.0 - $156,610Stronger salary
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$150,080$107,170 - $190,320Stronger salary
Health Care and Social Assistance$149,830$115,440 - $188,800Stronger salary
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$149,640$95,140.0 - $179,710Competitive
Educational Services$142,560$55,300.0 - $178,310Competitive
Transportation and Warehousing$138,980$60,720.0 - $166,540Competitive
Management of Companies and Enterprises$138,480$105,580 - $185,610Competitive
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$137,610$75,770.0 - $165,500Competitive

Entry-Level Pharmacist Salary in Waterloo, IA

Entry-level Pharmacist jobs in Waterloo, IA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Pharmacist salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Pharmacist roles in Waterloo, IA is about $126,306.
Preparation pathJob Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). Training signal: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Remote vs Onsite Pharmacist Pay in Waterloo, IA

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Pharmacist candidates in Waterloo, IA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$137,792
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$140,548
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$135,036Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$140,548Metro dependentWaterloo, IA employersMedium
Onsite$137,792Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Waterloo, IA

A salary in Waterloo, IA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.8K
$2.5K
$3.2K
Transport / commute
$401.9
$459.3
$516.7
Food and groceries
$861.2
$918.6
$1.0K
Utilities and internet
$401.9
$459.3
$516.7
Estimated remainder
$3.9K
$6.0K
$7.3K
Advertisement

Top Employers Hiring Pharmacists in Waterloo, IA

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Pharmacist pay tends to be strongest in Waterloo, IA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Other Services Except Public Administration employers
$157K
Industry benchmark for Pharmacist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$150K
Industry benchmark for Pharmacist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Health Care and Social Assistance employers
$150K
Industry benchmark for Pharmacist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$150K
Industry benchmark for Pharmacist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Educational Services employers
$143K
Industry benchmark for Pharmacist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Transportation and Warehousing employers
$139K
Industry benchmark for Pharmacist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Waterloo, IA Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherWaterloo, IA is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Pharmacist work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Waterloo, IA
This guide
$138K
Baseline
Iowa City, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$138K
Near national
Davenport, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$134K
-3% vs U.S.
Des Moines, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$133K
-3% vs U.S.
Sioux City, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$133K
-3% vs U.S.
Ames, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$132K
-4% vs U.S.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$131K
-5% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Waterloo, IA

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$79.7K - $107K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$99.0K - $131K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$124K - $154K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$149K - $193K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$176K - $223K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$206K - $282K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 4.6% from 2024 to 2034.
Faster than averageAnnual openings: 14.2 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment335.1k → 350.5k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Related experienceExtensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Local market anchor170 jobs with a median of $137,792

Factors Affecting Pharmacist Salary in Waterloo, IA

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Pharmacist Salary in Waterloo, IA

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
Advertisement

Pharmacist Salary in Waterloo, IA: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Pharmacist" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Pharmacist in Waterloo, IAs salary?
The latest national baseline for Pharmacists is about $137,500 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Pharmacist in Waterloo, IAs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Pharmacists are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $86,900 per year nationally.
How much can senior Pharmacist in Waterloo, IAs professionals earn?
Senior Pharmacists estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $158,600 per year nationally.
Does location affect Pharmacist in Waterloo, IAs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Pharmacist in Waterloo, IAs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
Salary Anchor Ad
Salary Anchor Ad