Pharmacy Technician Employment & Salary Trends, and Career Opportunities in Iowa

Overview

Iowa is home to more than 4,000 salaried pharmacy technicians. This means, just over 1.2 percent of the nation’s 334,400 salaried technicians live in The Hawkeye State. Aspiring pharmacy technicians choose Iowa for:

• The opportunity to work at renowned facilities such as University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Genesis Medical Center-Davenport, and St. Luke’s Hospital (all nationally ranked and/or high performing in multiple specialties)
• Access to more than 45 other outstanding hospitals
• Access to dozens of quality health care and pharmacy technician training programs
• Employment and salary growth: Employment and salary growth have increased at a better than average rate since 2006

Employment and Salary Trends for Iowa Pharmacy Technicians

According the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), Iowa is home to 4,210 salaried pharmacy technicians. They average $27,690 per year. In 2006, Iowa-based pharmacy technicians averaged $23,710. This means salaries here have increased by an impressive $663 each year. Across the nation, pharmacy technicians average around $28,400 per year, with the top ten percent averaging $41,880 and the bottom ten percent earning $20,310 per year.

In addition to salary growth, aspiring Iowa pharmacy technicians can expect a fair amount of employment growth in the coming years. In 2006, the state was home to 3,190 pharmacy technicians. This means, the industry here added 1,020 new jobs between 2006 and today. Across the nation, the pharmacy technician field will experience a significant amount of employment growth between now and 2020. The industry expects to add 108,300 new jobs, so employment is expected to grow by an impressive 32 percent.

Pharmacy Technician Career Opportunities in Iowa

Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of environments, but many (between 50 and 75 percent) work at chain pharmacies and hospitals. Even so, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, other options are still available. They include technology (computer systems design firms), scientific and technical consulting services, outpatient care centers, retirement homes, rehabilitation facilities, clinics, grocery stores, department stores, electronic shopping and mail-order houses, government departments, and schools.

The state of Iowa is home to a wide variety of establishments in these areas, but if you’re interested in starting your career at a chain pharmacy or a hospital, some of the largest (or most recognized) chains in the state include:

• Costco Pharmacy
• CVS
• Dahl’s Pharmacy
• Hartig Drug
• Hy-Vee Drugstore
• Kmart Pharmacy
• Medicap Pharmacy
• Mercy Pharmacies
• Sam’s Club Pharmacy
• Target Pharmacy
• Walgreens
• Walmart

Some of Iowa’s largest hospitals/hospital systems include:

• University of Iowa Children's Hospital
• University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
• Genesis Medical Center-Davenport
• St. Luke’s Hospital
• Mercy Medical Center
• Alegent Health Mercy Hospital
• Allen Memorial Hospital
• Iowa Methodist Medical Center
• Mary Greeley Medical Center
• Mercy Iowa City
• Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City

Schools Offering Pharmacy Technician Training Programs Include: