How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Iowa
Iowa employs approximately 4,630 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,860 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 49,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a pharmacy technician in Iowa, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Iowa
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Iowa? Iowa requires credentials such as Pharmacy Support Person, Pharmacist. The licensing authority is the Iowa Department of Public Health - Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Iowa? Yes. Iowa has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Iowa Department of Public Health - Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Iowa is $44,860 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,140 and experienced professionals can earn $52,150 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Iowa Department of Public Health - Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners
- Median wage (Iowa): $44,860 per year 1
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Iowa
The Iowa Department of Public Health - Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Iowa 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Support Person | A pharmacy support person is an individual who works in a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist and assists with nontechnical duties such as sales clerk, delivering prescriptions, submitting… |
| Pharmacist | Pharmacists compound and dispense medications pursuant to prescriptions issued by physicians, dentists, or other authorized health professionals (MD, DO, DDS, DVM, DPM, OD, PA or ARNP). |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Felony convictions prohibited
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Iowa vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 1,330 | $47,290 | $47,480 | $38,560 | $58,590 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 1,160 | $46,620 | $45,530 | $36,580 | $54,770 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 550 | $45,080 | $44,180 | $34,810 | $51,580 |
| Iowa City | 460 | $43,500 | $46,340 | $37,030 | $63,420 |
| Cedar Rapids | 390 | $43,930 | $43,780 | $36,510 | $52,150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 270 | $40,950 | $43,550 | $35,810 | $50,450 |
| Dubuque | 250 | $45,100 | $44,630 | $36,640 | $54,320 |
| Sioux City | 210 | $43,820 | $43,480 | $36,040 | $50,650 |
| Ames | 140 | $39,310 | $42,750 | $33,510 | $49,980 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Pharmacy technicians in Iowa
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Iowa according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 1,160 | $46,620 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 550 | $45,080 |
| Iowa City | 460 | $43,500 |
| Cedar Rapids | 390 | $43,930 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 270 | $40,950 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 4,630 pharmacy technicians 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a pharmacy technician in Iowa with an out-of-state license? Contact the Iowa Department of Public Health - Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Iowa.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Iowa is $44,860, which is $1,400 above the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Iowa Department of Public Health - Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners - Licensing Information: https://pharmacy.iowa.gov/licensureregistration/pharmacy ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |