Pharmacist Salary

Naperville vs Peoria: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Naperville, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Naperville, IL
$144,956
$69.69/hr
Peoria, IL
$142,460
$68.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNaperville, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$144,956$142,460
Hourly Rate$69.69$68.49
Entry Level (P10)$97,201$111,921
25th Percentile$128,594$132,114
75th Percentile$164,300$161,339
Top Earner (P90)$189,477$165,362
Total Employed23340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Naperville ($144,956) and Peoria ($142,460) pharmacist salaries.NapervillePeoriaMedian Salary$144,956$142,460Entry Level (P10)$97,201$111,921Top Earner (P90)$189,477$165,362US Median $143,489

Verdict

Naperville, IL offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between Naperville and Peoria is $2,496 (1.75%). Naperville's median is +1.02% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Naperville spans $92,276,Peoria spans $53,441. Naperville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Naperville
P10 (Entry)$97,201
P25$128,594
Median$144,956
P75$164,300
P90 (Top)$189,477
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$111,921
P25$132,114
Median$142,460
P75$161,339
P90 (Top)$165,362

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($156,153 effective) pays 4.60% more than Naperville ($149,285 effective).

Naperville
Nominal: $144,956
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $149,285
Peoria
Nominal: $142,460
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $156,153

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Naperville if…

  • Higher median salary ($144,956/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($189,477)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $156,153)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Naperville grew 8.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.9% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Naperville, IL

+8.8%

$130,805 (2024) → $142,351 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+2.9%

$136,020 (2019) → $139,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Naperville or Peoria?

Naperville has a higher median pharmacist salary at $144,956/year, compared to Peoria at $142,460/year — a difference of $2,496 (1.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Naperville and Peoria?

Naperville pharmacists earn $69.69/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $68.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Naperville to Peoria as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Naperville and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Naperville = $149,285, Peoria = $156,153), job availability (23 vs 340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Naperville vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $97,201 in Naperville and $111,921 in Peoria. The Peoria 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