Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Wheeling, IL: $66.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Wheeling, IL runs $66.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,753 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Wheeling's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,253 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the Wheeling, IL area, pharmacists can expect a median hourly pay of $66.71, which is slightly below the national median of $68.99 per hour. This compensation reflects the challenging retail pharmacy environment, where traditional roles are evolving due to factors like chain consolidations and expanded service offerings. For part-time pharmacists working around three days a week, this hourly rate translates effectively to a solid income, especially in settings such as retail pharmacy counters and hospital pharmacies. The hourly wage ranges between $50.08 and $82.39, providing a spectrum that accommodates entry-level positions at $50.08 and experienced professionals at the higher end of the scale. As healthcare demands continue to grow, the pharmacist hourly pay in Wheeling remains competitive, compensating these key contributors to patient care.
About the Wheeling 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) | $50.08 | $400.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.93 | $503.45 |
| Median (P50) | $66.71 | $533.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.35 | $618.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.39 | $659.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheeling
Based on $66.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.71/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheeling, IL can expect to earn approximately $138,754 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,051. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheeling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheeling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,668.35 | $11,563 | $138,754 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,601.01 | $6,938 | $83,253 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,067.34 | $4,625 | $55,502 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Wheeling) | $66.71 |
| 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 Wheeling, IL earn a median of $138,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.30% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $142,164.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.71/hr = $83,253/year (purchasing power: $85,739).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,754/year (purchasing power: $142,898).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$59.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Wheeling grew 10.0% from $59.55/hr (2019) to $65.51/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.93/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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
Looking at the potential earnings for part-time positions, a pharmacist working 24 hours each week at the median hourly rate would bring home approximately $83,756 annually, while full-time pharmacists see a different financial picture. Per diem roles offer varied pay scales, with pharmacists in retail settings typically earning between $55 and $75 per hour, whereas hospital clinical pharmacists can command $60 to $85 hourly. Specialty pharmacists, especially in oncology or critical care, may see per diem rates soar to between $70 and $95. While some professionals may accept lower hourly rates for the benefits provided by full-time positions, others opt for higher hourly pay in more flexible roles. It’s also important for pharmacists in Wheeling to negotiate effectively, considering both pay and benefits tailored to their individual career goals and financial needs when seeking employment with various providers like CVS, Walgreens, or specialty pharmacies.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 Wheeling. 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 Wheeling 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