Pharmacist salary in Illinois
Pharmacists in Illinois earn a median of $139,080 a year ($66.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,430 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $140,910. Illinois ranks 27th of 51 states for pharmacists pay. There are 2.0 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $138,070, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,970 | $47.58 |
| 25th percentile | $126,270 | $60.71 |
| Median | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| 75th percentile | $162,280 | $78.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,430 | $81.46 |
| Average (mean) | $138,070 | $66.38 |
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 | $11,590 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,795 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,349.23 |
| Weekly | $2,674.62 |
| Hourly | $66.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL | $145,960 | 60 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $141,250 | 100 |
| Kankakee, IL | $140,960 | 90 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $140,880 | 8,930 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $140,550 | 300 |
| Peoria, IL | $139,900 | 340 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $139,270 | 220 |
| Bloomington, IL | $139,050 | 140 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $138,530 | 2,910 |
| Springfield, IL | $135,440 | 300 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $134,810 | 130 |
| Rockford, IL | $134,190 | 300 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Dentists, General | $156,110 | $75.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| Veterinarian | $133,580 | $64.22 |
| Chiropractor | $66,650 | $32.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $245,120 | $117.84 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for pharmacists in Illinois is $139,080 a year, or $66.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of pharmacists in Illinois earn at least $169,430 a year. The top 25% earn $162,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,970 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $126,270 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Illinois?
About 12,070 pharmacists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.