Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Des Plaines, IL: $66.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Des Plaines, IL runs $66.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,413 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Des Plaines's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,452 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacist hourly pay in Des Plaines, Illinois, reaches a median of $66.07, which is slightly below the national median of $68.99. For pharmacists working part-time or in per-diem positions, this hourly rate translates into a viable income for those balancing other responsibilities or pursuing additional opportunities in healthcare settings. Typically employed in environments like retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty clean rooms, pharmacists have an hourly range that spans from $46.95 for entry-level positions to about $80.34 for experienced professionals. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, reflect the dynamic nature of the pharmacy profession in Des Plaines, shaped by local job markets and healthcare demand.
About the Des Plaines 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) | $46.95 | $375.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.02 | $472.17 |
| Median (P50) | $66.07 | $528.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.36 | $602.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.34 | $642.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Plaines
Based on $66.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.07/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Plaines, IL can expect to earn approximately $137,420 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,281. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Plaines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Plaines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,642.69 | $11,452 | $137,420 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,585.62 | $6,871 | $82,452 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,057.08 | $4,581 | $54,968 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Des Plaines) | $66.07 |
| 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 Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $137,413 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.23% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $142,103.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.07/hr = $82,452/year (purchasing power: $84,915).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,420/year (purchasing power: $141,524).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$58.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Des Plaines grew 10.0% from $58.98/hr (2019) to $64.88/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.28/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 Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines
Considering part-time schedules, a pharmacist working three days a week, averaging 24 hours, could roughly earn around $82,000 annually. This amount can be significantly less than a full-time salary. Per diem pharmacists in Des Plaines also experience varied pay; retail pharmacists often bill between $55 and $75 per hour, while hospital clinical roles can offer $60 to $85 per hour. Specialty pharmacists in critical care may earn even more, ranging from $70 to $95 per hour. Differences in hourly rates often stem from the type of employer—retail chains versus hospitals or specialty pharmacies all offer varying packages that can include benefits. For pharmacists, negotiating for higher pay while also considering benefits becomes critical, particularly in an evolving market where traditional roles face pressures from retail consolidation. Being armed with localized knowledge can enhance negotiations for pharmacist hourly pay in Des Plaines, IL, allowing professionals to make informed choices about their career paths.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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
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 Des Plaines. 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 Des Plaines 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