Pharmacist Salary

Chicago vs Hanover Park: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Chicago, IL and Hanover Park, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chicago, IL
$143,458
$68.97/hr
Hanover Park, IL
$136,612
$65.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILHanover Park, IL
Median Salary$143,458$136,612
Hourly Rate$68.97$65.68
Entry Level (P10)$86,505$103,322
25th Percentile$128,357$129,336
75th Percentile$166,706$150,677
Top Earner (P90)$174,852$169,795
Total Employed8,9306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($143,458) and Hanover Park ($136,612) pharmacist salaries.ChicagoHanover ParkMedian Salary$143,458$136,612Entry Level (P10)$86,505$103,322Top Earner (P90)$174,852$169,795US Median $143,489

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hanover Park.

The salary gap between Chicago and Hanover Park is $6,846 (5.01%). Chicago's median is -0.02% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $88,347,Hanover Park spans $66,473. Chicago has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$86,505
P25$128,357
Median$143,458
P75$166,706
P90 (Top)$174,852
Hanover Park
P10 (Entry)$103,322
P25$129,336
Median$136,612
P75$150,677
P90 (Top)$169,795

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hanover Park ($140,692 effective) pays 1.60% more than Chicago ($138,480 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $143,458
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $138,480
Hanover Park
Nominal: $136,612
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $140,692

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,458/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($174,852)
  • Larger job market (8,930 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Hanover Park if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $140,692)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Chicago grew 8.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.9% growth in Hanover Park over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+8.7%

$129,610 (2019) → $140,880 (2025)

Hanover Park, IL

+8.9%

$123,188 (2024) → $134,157 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Chicago or Hanover Park?

Chicago has a higher median pharmacist salary at $143,458/year, compared to Hanover Park at $136,612/year — a difference of $6,846 (5.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Hanover Park?

Chicago pharmacists earn $68.97/hr while Hanover Park hygienists earn $65.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Hanover Park as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Hanover Park. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $138,480, Hanover Park = $140,692), job availability (8,930 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Chicago vs Hanover Park?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $86,505 in Chicago and $103,322 in Hanover Park. The Hanover Park area offers higher starting salaries.

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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD

Career Analyst

Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Patel, PharmDData verified by Amina Al-Sayed, PharmD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov