Pharmacy Technician Salary in Des Moines, IA
Pharmacy Technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $46,620 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,519 take-home, or $3,210 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacy technician salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,414
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,890
- Medicare (1.45%)$676
- Iowa income tax$1,120
- Take-home pay$38,519
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Pharmacy Technician pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,580 | $17.59 | $30,834 | $2,569 |
| 25th percentile | $38,930 | $18.72 | $32,633 | $2,719 |
| Median (50th) | $46,620 | $22.41 | $38,519 | $3,210 |
| 75th percentile | $49,420 | $23.76 | $40,663 | $3,389 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,770 | $26.33 | $44,758 | $3,730 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,620 buys in Des Moines, IA
Prices in Des Moines, IA are 8.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacy technician's $38,519 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,005 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Pharmacy Technician jobs are about as common in Des Moines, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.95).
Best-paying cities for pharmacy technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #13 of 167 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $75,490 | $58,129 | $52,642 |
| 2 | Spokane, WA | $57,830 | $48,646 | $48,479 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $61,320 | $51,451 | $46,296 |
| 4 | Killeen, TX | $47,400 | $40,266 | $44,184 |
| 5 | Shreveport, LA | $44,890 | $37,289 | $43,990 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $58,470 | $46,843 | $43,914 |
| 7 | Vallejo, CA | $58,670 | $46,989 | $43,316 |
| 8 | Sioux Falls, SD | $45,610 | $38,828 | $42,841 |
| 13 | Des Moines, IA | $46,620 | $38,519 | $42,005 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 167 metros →
Pharmacy Technician salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Davenport, IA — $45,080
- Iowa City, IA — $43,500
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacy technician make in Des Moines, IA?
The median pharmacy technician salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $46,620 a year, or about $22.41 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,930 and $49,420.
What is a pharmacy technician’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $46,620 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $38,519 a year ($3,210 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,120 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $45,750. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,005 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #13 of 167 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacy technician afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Des Moines, IA is $1,092 a month ($1,302 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median pharmacy technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $141,110
- Nurse Practitioner — $132,230
- Physical Therapist — $97,790
- Dental Hygienist — $93,660
- Registered Nurse — $78,630
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $67,640
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $63,670
- Medical Records Specialist — $54,270
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $50,240
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $49,960