Salary distribution
Where Illinois pharmacists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $129,630 and $156,410, with a median of $135,880.
Pharmacists in Illinois: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 8 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $137,613. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level II — qualified | 7 | $137,426 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $146,400 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Pharmacists in Illinois. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Medical Center | Clinical Pharmacy Specialist “ Pharmacist, Emergency Medicin | 2 | $132,640 |
| Walgreen Co. | Pharmacy Manager | 2 | $133,653 |
| MEDCARE PHARMACY, INC. | PHARMACIST | 1 | $146,400 |
| OSF Healthcare System | Pharmacist | 1 | $137,800 |
| Northwest Community Hospital | Pharmacist | 1 | $137,425 |
| Endeavor Health Medical Group | Pharmacist | 1 | $137,426 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- PHARMACIST at MEDCARE PHARMACY, INC.$146,400GURNEEWage Level IIIDecided Jul 14, 2025I-200-25188-155983
- Clinical Pharmacy Specialist “ Pharmacist, Emergency Medicin at Trinity Medical Center$138,362Rock IslandWage Level IIDecided May 19, 2025I-200-25132-966040
- Pharmacy Manager at Walgreen Co.$142,506BerwynWage Level IIDecided May 14, 2025I-200-25127-946809
- Pharmacist at OSF Healthcare System$137,800BloomingtonWage Level IIDecided Feb 10, 2025I-200-25034-660883
- Pharmacist at Northwest Community Hospital$137,425Arlington HeightsWage Level IIDecided Feb 5, 2025I-200-25029-652025
- Pharmacist at Trinity Medical Center$126,918Rock IslandWage Level IIDecided Jan 27, 2025I-200-25017-625904
- Pharmacist at Endeavor Health Medical Group$137,426Arlington HeightsWage Level IIDecided Dec 27, 2024I-200-24353-554225
- Pharmacist at Walgreen Co.$124,800WaukeganWage Level IIDecided May 13, 2025I-200-25126-940997
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Pharmacists pay by experience level in Illinois
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Pharmacists in Illinois, by industry
Median offered wage across 8 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Healthcare leads with a median of $137,426.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Trinity Medical Center | 5 | $137,426 |
| Retail and wholesale | Walgreen Co. | 3 | $142,506 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Illinois over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Chemistry
Knowledge
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
- 02
Assess the identity, strength, or purity of medications.
- 03
Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
- 04
Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
- 05
Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs.
- 06
Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, or evaluate the quality or effectiveness of drugs or drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications or characteristics.
- 07
Plan, implement, or maintain procedures for mixing, packaging, or labeling pharmaceuticals, according to policy and legal requirements, to ensure quality, security, and proper disposal.
- 08
Order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs, maintaining stock and storing and handling it properly.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for pharmacists in major Illinois metropolitan areas.
- Chicago$137,610
Compare Pharmacists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Pharmacists in Illinois?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Pharmacists in Illinois is $135,880.
- How does Illinois compare to the national median for Pharmacists?
- The Illinois median is -3.0% versus the BLS national figure of $140,121.
- What is the salary range for Pharmacists in Illinois?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $99,610 and the 90th-percentile at $166,090, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Pharmacists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Pharmacists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.