Pharmacy Aide salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Pharmacy Aides in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $37,010 a year ($17.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,420 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $37,680. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $37,010. There are 0.24 pharmacy aides per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pharmacy aides in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| 25th percentile | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Median | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| 75th percentile | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| Average (mean) | $37,620 | $18.09 |
Half of pharmacy aides 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 | $3,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,542.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,423.46 |
| Weekly | $711.73 |
| Hourly | $17.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacy Aide salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $39,620 | 170 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $38,430 | 350 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $35,900 | 160 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $35,110 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $35,070 | 50 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $34,730 | 220 |
| Evansville, IN | $34,670 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacy aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,960 |
| Utah | $51,600 |
| Hawaii | $46,250 |
| Washington | $45,110 |
| Arizona | $43,360 |
| California | $42,200 |
| Oregon | $40,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,470 |
| Nevada | $39,080 |
| Texas | $38,630 |
See Pharmacy Aide pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $39,280 | $18.88 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Orderly | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,730 | $17.66 |
More: Healthcare Support 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 31-9095. 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 pharmacy aide make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for pharmacy aides in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $37,010 a year, or $17.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacy aides make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of pharmacy aides in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $38,420 a year. The top 25% earn $37,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacy aides in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,640 a year, and a quarter of pharmacy aides earn $35,960 or less.
How many pharmacy aides work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,070 pharmacy aides are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.