Pharmacist Salary in Bloomington, IL: $141,595 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Bloomington, IL earns a median $141,595/year (≈ $68.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $151,379 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist salary in Bloomington, IL reaches a median of $141,595, slightly trailing the national median of $143,489. The local pay structure varies significantly, encompassing a range that spans from $109,742 at the 10th percentile to $183,274 at the 90th percentile. Pharmacists in Bloomington generally find their earnings influenced heavily by their work environment. For instance, those employed in clinical hospital settings often command higher salaries due to their advanced training, involvement in patient care, and greater responsibilities compared to retail pharmacists. As the healthcare landscape continues to shift, particularly in the face of consolidating retail chains, the demand for specialized clinical roles may drive salary expectations higher.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,742 | $52.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,167 | $63.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,595 | $68.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,296 | $82.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,274 | $88.11 |
Median Salary Position
1.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,532 (2026 est.). At $141,595, the local median is 1.32% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Pharmacist Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $141,595/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $142,163 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -1.32% less |
Pharmacists in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $141,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.32% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.40% below the Illinois state average of $142,163.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 6.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 93.537 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $141,595 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,379 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$128,020
2025 BLS Actual
$139,050
2026 Current Est.
$141,595
2019–2027 Growth
+12.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,595 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,186 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 8.6% from $128,020 (2019) to $139,050 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,186 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,166 (12.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $109,742 – $131,167 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,167 – $141,595 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,595 – $172,296 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,296 – $183,274 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Bloomington
The job market for pharmacists in Bloomington is currently stable, with around 140 professionals employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 93.537, which suggests that take-home pay has a relatively stronger purchasing power in this market compared to national averages. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include specialty pharmacies and hospital inpatient pharmacies, while traditional retail chains like CVS and Walgreens remain competitive but often reflect the challenges of the contracting retail market. Factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight roles, and residency training premiums contribute to disparities in earnings. For pharmacists looking to optimize their compensation in Bloomington, pursuing advanced certifications, such as those from BPS, and considering roles in specialized settings may yield the best financial outcomes amidst ongoing changes in the retail pharmacy sector.
More salary data for Bloomington, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $139,050 for pharmacistsin the Bloomington metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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