Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Kankakee, IL: $69.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Kankakee, IL runs $69.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,540 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Kankakee's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,125 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kankakee, Illinois, the projected pharmacist hourly pay for 2026 is $69.01, slightly above the national median of $68.99. This competitive hourly rate is significant for pharmacists working part-time or on a per-diem basis across various settings, including retail chains, hospital pharmacies, and specialty environments. For those working three days a week, an hourly wage allows for flexible scheduling, catering to a diverse array of practice areas like outpatient pharmacy clean rooms and mail-order fulfillment operations. Within Kankakee, hourly pay ranges from $54.34 at the entry-level to $79.88 for top earners, making it a viable choice for professionals in both permanent and temporary roles. These figures are grounded in official BLS hourly data, which reflect the evolving demands of the profession.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54.34 | $434.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.97 | $519.74 |
| Median (P50) | $69.01 | $552.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.52 | $636.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.88 | $639.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kankakee
Based on $69.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.01/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kankakee, IL can expect to earn approximately $143,541 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,812. With a cost-of-living index of 96.39 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kankakee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kankakee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,760.41 | $11,962 | $143,541 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,656.24 | $7,177 | $86,125 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,104.16 | $4,785 | $57,416 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Kankakee) | $69.01 |
| 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 Kankakee, IL earn a median of $143,540 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.04% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.00% above the Illinois state average of $142,118.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.01/hr = $86,125/year (purchasing power: $89,347).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,541/year (purchasing power: $148,911).
CoL index: 96.394 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$62.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Kankakee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Kankakee grew 8.1% from $62.68/hr (2019) to $67.77/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.27/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 Kankakee 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 Kankakee
Considering the part-time earning potential in Kankakee, a pharmacist working 24 hours a week can expect to take home about $86,056 annually, providing a substantial income even without full-time status. Per-diem pharmacists in this region find varying rates based on the type of clinical setting, as retail pharmacists may charge between $55 to $75 per hour, while those in hospital settings often see rates of $60 to $85. For specialty roles in oncology or critical care, the hourly rates can elevate to between $70 and $95. The pay structure is influenced by employer type, where large retail chains and hospital systems may offer stability and health benefits in exchange for potentially lower hourly rates. As negotiations unfold, understanding the market trends is essential; pharmacists must balance their desire for a higher hourly pay with the benefits that come from full-time positions, especially in light of recent retail pharmacy contractions and the increasing prevalence of roles requiring advanced certifications like PGY-1 residencies. Advanced preparation for negotiations can enhance earning potential and job satisfaction in the Kankakee workforce.
More salary data for Kankakee, 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 Kankakee. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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