Pharmacist Hourly Pay in DeKalb, IL: $65.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in DeKalb, IL runs $65.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,778 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against DeKalb's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,071 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In DeKalb, Illinois, the projected pharmacist hourly pay for 2026 is $65.76. This figure is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $68.99, which reflects a competitive edge in the regional job market. For part-time and per-diem pharmacists, who typically work around three days a week, this hourly rate allows for substantial earnings, particularly in diverse settings such as retail pharmacy counters, inpatient hospital pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy clean rooms. The hourly pay range for pharmacists in DeKalb varies significantly, stretching from $49.87 at the entry-level to $81.88 for the most experienced professionals, indicating that there are opportunities for advancement and specialization within the field.
About the DeKalb Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.87 | $398.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.35 | $498.80 |
| Median (P50) | $65.76 | $526.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.63 | $581.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.88 | $655.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in DeKalb
Based on $65.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.76/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in DeKalb, IL can expect to earn approximately $136,785 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,914. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in DeKalb.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in DeKalb
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,630.47 | $11,399 | $136,785 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,578.28 | $6,839 | $82,071 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,052.19 | $4,559 | $54,714 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (DeKalb) | $65.76 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in DeKalb, IL earn a median of $136,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.68% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $142,181.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.76/hr = $82,071/year (purchasing power: $84,522).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,785/year (purchasing power: $140,870).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$58.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in DeKalb grew 10.0% from $58.70/hr (2019) to $64.58/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.97/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the DeKalb 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.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacist in DeKalb
Considering a 3-day work week, a pharmacist in DeKalb can expect to earn approximately $102,187 annually based on the hourly pay rate for 2026, offering a decent income compared to full-time positions. Per-diem pharmacists play a crucial role in the landscape of pharmacy employment, typically billing between $55 and $75 per hour in retail environments, with hospital clinical roles fetching rates of $60 to $85, and even higher in specialty areas where per-diem pay can reach $70 to $95. These hourly rates can differ depending on the employer type, with chain pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens offering standardized pay, while more specialized hospitals and ambulatory care clinics might provide enhanced compensation packages. The choice of accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance is a common trade-off for pharmacists in DeKalb, making it essential for professionals to negotiate wisely based on their specific circumstances and career goals.
More salary data for DeKalb, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in DeKalb in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacists make in DeKalb?
Are pharmacists in DeKalb paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacist make per year in DeKalb?
Do pharmacists earn more per hour working part-time in DeKalb?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists in DeKalb. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for DeKalb 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