Pharmacist Salary in Chicago, IL: $143,458 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Chicago, IL earns a median $143,458/year (≈ $68.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $138,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, Illinois, the aftermath of retail chain consolidation has significantly influenced pharmacist pay levels, leading to a projected median annual salary of $143,458 for 2026, closely mirroring the national median of $143,489. The salary landscape shows a broad range, with the lower end of the spectrum starting at $86,505 and the upper end reaching up to $174,852. This data, sourced from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the ongoing challenges facing the pharmacy profession in urban centers like Chicago. As traditional retail pharmacies contract, the demand is shifting toward more specialized roles, prompting both opportunities and wage changes that pharmacists must navigate in this evolving job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,505 | $41.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,357 | $61.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,458 | $68.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,706 | $80.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,852 | $84.06 |
Median Salary Position
0.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,347 (2026 est.). At $143,458, the local median is 0.02% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be above the median
How Chicago Pharmacist Pay Compares
Chicago median: $143,458/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $142,178 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | -0.02% less |
Pharmacists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $143,458 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.02% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.90% above the Illinois state average of $142,178.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,458 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $138,480 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,610
2025 BLS Actual
$140,880
2026 Current Est.
$143,458
2019–2027 Growth
+12.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,458 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,083 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 8.7% from $129,610 (2019) to $140,880 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,083 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,473 (12.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $86,505 – $128,357 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,357 – $143,458 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,458 – $166,706 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,706 – $174,852 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Chicago
With about 8,930 pharmacists employed in the region, Chicago's job market remains robust, though inflation pressures and a cost-of-living index of 103.595 indicate that take-home purchasing power plays a critical role in compensation discussions. The highest salaries are typically found in hospital settings and specialty pharmacies, where pharmacists may receive additional benefits due to board certifications or residency training. The spread between salaries showcases how factors like shift differentials, clinical expertise, and the impacts of recent retail layoffs can affect earnings. To maximize pharmacist pay in Chicago, individuals should consider positions in inpatient hospital roles or specialty fields, while also staying current on board certifications to enhance their qualifications. As the landscape continues to evolve, adaptability and specialization will become increasingly valuable in securing competitive compensation.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 $140,880 for pharmacistsin the Chicago 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