Entry-Level Pharmacist Salary in Quincy, IL: $95,132 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacists entering the Quincy, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $95,132 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Quincy's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $97,973 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($137,936) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the pharmacy field in Quincy, Illinois, can expect their initial salary to vary widely, with projections in 2026 indicating an entry-level pharmacist salary Quincy beginning at $95,132. This figure represents a significant gap from the city's median annual salary of $137,936, highlighting the typical financial progression new pharmacists may experience as they settle into their roles. Over the first three to five years, many can realistically anticipate moving through the salary range towards the 25th percentile, approximately $129,138, as they gain experience and take on additional responsibilities. Currently, Quincy offers a reasonably promising job market for recent pharmacy graduates, with opportunities leveraging local healthcare needs, although fluctuations in retail pharmacy may influence available positions.
About the Quincy Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Quincy
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Quincy
Entry-level pharmacists in Quincy, IL typically start between $95,132 and $129,138 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $73,996 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $137,936 — 3.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Illinois of $160,000 represents just 168.19% of the starting pharmacist pay ($95,132/year) in Quincy. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACPE-accredited PharmD program data and AACP tuition survey reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type (public in-state vs. private).
PharmD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Quincy
- 1Research the Quincy market: entry-level pharmacist pay ranges from $95,132 to $129,138, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the pharmacy field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Quincy, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Quincy for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Quincy's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Pharmacist Compensation Range
The pharmacist wage spread in Quincy is $73,996 ( 77.78%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $95,132, experienced hygienists can earn up to $169,128.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$83,176
2025 BLS Actual
$93,422
2026 Current Est.
$95,132
2019–2027 Growth
+16.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Quincy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,176 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,174 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,299 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,225 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,662 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,509 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,422 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,132 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,873 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacist compensation (10th percentile) in Quincy, IL grew 12.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $83,176 in 2019 to $93,422 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $96,873. New graduates entering the Quincy job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Quincy metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your pharmacy Career in Quincy
Several employers in Quincy are known for recruiting new pharmacy graduates, particularly those willing to pursue clinical positions through PGY-1 residency programs offered by local hospital systems. Retail chains tend to be the primary source of non-residency opportunities for new grads, albeit recent trends show sign-on bonuses have been reduced compared to the peaks of 2021-2022. Graduates should consider obtaining additional credentials, including a state pharmacist license, NAPLEX certification, and possibly specialty BPS board certifications to enhance their marketability and salary potential in Illinois. Within the first three years, as the pharmacy profession adapts to the rapid changes in care provision, particularly in vaccinations and point-of-care testing, early-career pharmacists in Quincy may see diverse growth opportunities in expanding sectors such as hospital and specialty pharmacies, providing a fertile ground for professional development amid a competitive market.
More salary data for Quincy, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new pharmacy graduates. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Quincy. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Quincy is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov