Pharmacist jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
Pharmacists in the Cedar Rapids area earn a median of $62.84 per hour, about $130,700 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $60.93 and $68.19. That ranks 319th of 383 U.S. metro areas for pharmacist pay, and 160th of 340 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Cedar Rapids. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Cedar Rapids.
- $62.84median pay per hour, Cedar Rapids
- $61–$68typical range per hour
- 230pharmacists employed in the metro area
- 89cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Pharmacist pay in Cedar Rapids, IA
The metro median is 2% below the Iowa statewide median of $64.05 per hour. Nationally the median is $66.10 per hour. BLS counts about 230 pharmacists employed in the Cedar Rapids metro area, 1.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.77).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $49.07 | $102,070 | 26% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $60.93 | $126,730 | 8% below U.S. median |
| Median | $62.84 | $130,700 | 5% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $68.19 | $141,840 | 3% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $76.64 | $159,410 | 16% above U.S. median |
How Cedar Rapids ranks
- 319th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 160th of 340 after adjusting for local prices
- 7th of 8 Iowa metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Cedar Rapids
- Overall prices in Cedar Rapids run 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.0, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 29% below the U.S. average (index 71.4).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $62.84 median hour buys what $70.64 buys at the national price level, 7% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Cedar Rapids Pharmacist pay report
Named employers near Cedar Rapids, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Cedar Rapids paycheck
- Per year: $113,112
- Per month: $9,426
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Cedar Rapids metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Cedar Rapids
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel pharmacist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Cedar Rapids
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Cedar Rapids, 2 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of pharmacists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Medical Center - Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| St Lukes Hospital Cedar Rapids, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Pharmacist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | 23 mi | $66.12/hr | 76,710 |
| Waterloo, IA | 50 mi | $63.79/hr | 67,477 |
| Dubuque, IA | 62 mi | $61.33/hr | 58,987 |
| Davenport, IA | 62 mi | $64.45/hr | 100,938 |
| Ames, IA | 100 mi | $63.66/hr | 69,026 |
| Ankeny, IA | 100 mi | $64.13/hr | 76,727 |
License and tax basics in Iowa
PharmD from an accredited program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do pharmacists make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Pharmacists in the Cedar Rapids metro area have a median pay of $62.84 per hour, about $130,700 a year. The middle half earn between $60.93 and $68.19 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Cedar Rapids a good place for pharmacists once cost of living is counted?
Cedar Rapids ranks 160th of 340 metro areas for pharmacist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 319th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.
Where do pharmacists work in Cedar Rapids?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Cedar Rapids, led by Mercy Medical Center - Cedar Rapids. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Cedar Rapids as a pharmacist?
PharmD from an accredited program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Cedar Rapids?
The federal per diem benchmark in Cedar Rapids is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place pharmacists in Cedar Rapids?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Cedar Rapids and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Cedar Rapids.
What do employers near Cedar Rapids pay pharmacists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
20+ Pharmacist roles in Iowa, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Pharmacist pay reportCedar Rapids, IA · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Nightingale Pharmacy 1st LLCDyersville, IA · 1 wage offer$72.00/ hr$72–$72
- CVS Rx Services Inc.Davenport, IA · 1 wage offer$66.50/ hr$66–$66
- Mercy Health Services - Iowa Corp.Dubuque, IA · 1 wage offer$65.00/ hr$65–$65
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
5 employer-reported wage offers for Pharmacist in federal filings in Iowa, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Pharmacist roles
Open Pharmacist roles near Cedar Rapids, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.