Pharmacist Salary

Orland Park vs Rockford: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Orland Park, IL
$144,123
$69.29/hr
Rockford, IL
$136,646
$65.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrland Park, ILRockford, IL
Median Salary$144,123$136,646
Hourly Rate$69.29$65.70
Entry Level (P10)$101,895$106,983
25th Percentile$131,507$133,326
75th Percentile$164,016$162,225
Top Earner (P90)$174,617$166,390
Total Employed9300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orland Park ($144,123) and Rockford ($136,646) pharmacist salaries.Orland ParkRockfordMedian Salary$144,123$136,646Entry Level (P10)$101,895$106,983Top Earner (P90)$174,617$166,390US Median $143,489

Verdict

Orland Park, IL offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rockford.

The salary gap between Orland Park and Rockford is $7,477 (5.47%). Orland Park's median is +0.44% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orland Park spans $72,722,Rockford spans $59,407. Orland Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Orland Park
P10 (Entry)$101,895
P25$131,507
Median$144,123
P75$164,016
P90 (Top)$174,617
Rockford
P10 (Entry)$106,983
P25$133,326
Median$136,646
P75$162,225
P90 (Top)$166,390

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orland Park ($148,427 effective) pays 0.10% more than Rockford ($148,280 effective).

Orland Park
Nominal: $144,123
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $148,427
Rockford
Nominal: $136,646
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $148,280

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orland Park if…

  • Higher median salary ($144,123/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($174,617)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,427)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rockford if…

  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Orland Park grew 8.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -2.8% growth in Rockford over the same period.

Orland Park, IL

+8.9%

$129,961 (2024) → $141,533 (2025)

Rockford, IL

+-2.8%

$138,120 (2019) → $134,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Orland Park or Rockford?

Orland Park has a higher median pharmacist salary at $144,123/year, compared to Rockford at $136,646/year — a difference of $7,477 (5.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orland Park and Rockford?

Orland Park pharmacists earn $69.29/hr while Rockford hygienists earn $65.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orland Park to Rockford as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orland Park and Rockford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orland Park = $148,427, Rockford = $148,280), job availability (9 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Orland Park vs Rockford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $101,895 in Orland Park and $106,983 in Rockford. The Rockford 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