RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Pharmacists salary: California vs Iowa

Occupation

Pharmacists in California earn a median of $164,610. In Iowa, $138,860. After cost-of-living, the gap is 6% — not 18.5%.

Nominal pay gap
+18.5%
California vs Iowa
COL-adjusted gap
-6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Pharmacists

Median
$164,610
p25
$138,360
p75
$197,860
p10
$90,560
p90
$213,820
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-70%
See full breakdown for California

Iowa

Pharmacists

Median
$138,860
p25
$127,840
p75
$157,880
p10
$117,450
p90
$164,520
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
87.8
Hiring velocity (180d)
-50%
See full breakdown for Iowa

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.