Pharmacist Salary in Galesburg, IL: $134,836 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Galesburg, IL earns a median $134,836/year (≈ $64.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Galesburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $138,863 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Galesburg, IL, the anticipated median annual salary for pharmacists in 2026 stands at $134,836, reflecting the specialized nature of many roles within the healthcare setting. With a salary range extending from $99,114 at the P10 level to $164,219 at P90, these figures indicate significant variability based on roles and experience. Residency-trained pharmacists seeking positions in hospital settings or specialty services can command higher pay, while those in retail environments might find lower compensation due to the ongoing changes in the pharmacy market. These local estimates arise from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) state-level data, adjusted for regional price differences, providing a clearer picture of pharmacist salary in Galesburg compared to broader national benchmarks.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,114 | $47.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,539 | $60.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,836 | $64.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,633 | $74.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,219 | $78.95 |
Median Salary Position
6.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galesburg
In Galesburg, IL, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,105 (2026 est.). At $134,836, the local median is 6.03% below the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Galesburg: You'd be above the median
How Galesburg Pharmacist Pay Compares
Galesburg median: $134,836/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $142,082 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -6.03% less |
Pharmacists in Galesburg, IL earn a median of $134,836 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.03% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $142,082.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galesburg has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Galesburg, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $134,836 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,863 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,366
2025 BLS Actual
$132,413
2026 Current Est.
$134,836
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,366 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,949 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,817 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,745 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,827 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,587 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,413 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,836 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,304 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galesburg metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $120,366 (2019) to $132,413 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,304 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,938 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galesburg 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) | $99,114 – $125,539 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,539 – $134,836 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,836 – $154,633 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,633 – $164,219 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Galesburg
Despite a relatively small pharmacist workforce—with only four professionals employed in the local area—the job market here exhibits unique dynamics driven by both compensation structures and cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, Galesburg's affordability can positively influence take-home pay, making the local pharmacist salary competitive against everyday expenses. Leading employers in this market, such as hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty operations like Accredo, tend to offer salaries at the higher end of the pay scale, particularly for positions requiring board certification or residency training. Conversely, retail chains may perpetuate a wider salary gap, as factors like overnight shift differentials and the consolidation trend in retail pharmacies affect pay rates. For pharmacists looking to maximize their income in Galesburg, pursuing board certifications and considering roles in hospitals or specialty pharmacies can be effective strategies to enhance their marketability and earning potential.
More salary data for Galesburg, 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 $132,413 for pharmacistsin the Galesburg 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
Salary data for Galesburg 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