Pharmacist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Pharmacists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $140,880 a year ($67.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,710 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $140,910. Pay here is 1% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $139,080. There are 2.0 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $138,420, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,950 | $40.84 |
| 25th percentile | $126,050 | $60.60 |
| Median | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| 75th percentile | $163,710 | $78.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,710 | $82.55 |
| Average (mean) | $138,420 | $66.55 |
Half of pharmacists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,740 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,870 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,418.46 |
| Weekly | $2,709.23 |
| Hourly | $67.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $140,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Pharmacist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne, IN | $152,530 | 430 |
| Kokomo, IN | $151,730 | 60 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $151,050 | 2,220 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $148,110 | 60 |
| Decatur, IL | $145,960 | 60 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $144,160 | 120 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $144,030 | 270 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $143,920 | 1,830 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $143,720 | 150 |
| Evansville, IN | $143,650 | 360 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $141,250 | 100 |
| Kankakee, IL | $140,960 | 90 |
| Bloomington, IN | $140,670 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $140,550 | 300 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $140,200 | 2,380 |
| Peoria, IL | $139,900 | 340 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $139,270 | 220 |
| Bloomington, IL | $139,050 | 140 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $138,530 | 2,910 |
| Columbus, IN | $137,330 | 50 |
| Springfield, IL | $135,440 | 300 |
| Muncie, IN | $135,280 | 120 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $134,810 | 130 |
| Rockford, IL | $134,190 | 300 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $122,990 | 290 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 |
| Oregon | $165,960 |
| California | $164,610 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 |
| Washington | $160,610 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 |
| Colorado | $156,030 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 |
| Delaware | $152,880 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 |
See Pharmacist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $94,820 | $45.59 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,860 | $48.01 |
| Dentists, General | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | $61.51 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,560 | $35.36 |
| Anesthesiologist | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Veterinarian | $148,730 | $71.51 |
| Chiropractor | $72,440 | $34.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for pharmacists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $140,880 a year, or $67.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of pharmacists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $171,710 a year. The top 25% earn $163,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,950 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $126,050 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 8,930 pharmacists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.