Pharmacist Salary in Wheeling, IL: $138,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Wheeling, IL earns a median $138,753/year (≈ $66.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $142,897 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The post-2023 consolidation of retail chain pharmacies has reshaped the pharmacist salary in Wheeling, IL, with local median pay projected at $138,753 for 2026. This local median reflects a diverse salary range, from $104,172 at the 10th percentile to $171,379 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities. The local market appears somewhat less lucrative compared to the national median of $143,489, providing pharmacists in Wheeling with insights into their earning potential amid evolving employment dynamics in the region.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $104,172 | $50.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,902 | $62.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,753 | $66.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,895 | $77.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,379 | $82.39 |
Median Salary Position
3.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, IL, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,207 (2026 est.). At $138,753, the local median is 3.3% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be above the median
How Wheeling Pharmacist Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $138,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $142,164 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -3.30% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling 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.
Wheeling, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $138,753 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,897 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$123,862
2025 BLS Actual
$136,259
2026 Current Est.
$138,753
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,862 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,462 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,326 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,368 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,118 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,259 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,292 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $123,862 (2019) to $136,259 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,292 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,430 (14.07%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $104,172 – $130,902 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,902 – $138,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,753 – $160,895 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,895 – $171,379 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Wheeling
Currently, only six pharmacists are employed in Wheeling, indicating a competitive job market that could influence salaries and opportunities. Given the area’s cost of living index of 97.1—slightly below the national average—purchasing power for pharmacists may vary significantly based on employer type. Retail chains like CVS and Walgreens offer competitive pay, but specialty and hospital positions often yield higher compensation, largely due to board certification stipends and shift differentials. The ongoing shifts in retail pharmacy roles, influenced by market contractions and the demand for clinical specialists, are pushing pharmacists to explore additional qualifications through residency programs to enhance their pay prospects. Engaging in continuous education and clinical training can be crucial strategies for maximizing income in Wheeling, especially as the demand for pharmacy services continues to evolve.
More salary data for Wheeling, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Wheeling, IL in 2026?
Is Wheeling, IL a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Wheeling?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Wheeling?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Wheeling?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $136,259 for pharmacistsin the Wheeling 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 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