Pharmacist Salary in Chicago, IL
Pharmacists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $140,880 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $100,729 take-home, or $8,394 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$22,545
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,735
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,043
- Illinois income tax$6,829
- Take-home pay$100,729
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Pharmacist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,950 | $40.84 | $64,532 | $5,378 |
| 25th percentile | $126,050 | $60.60 | $91,326 | $7,611 |
| Median (50th) | $140,880 | $67.73 | $100,729 | $8,394 |
| 75th percentile | $163,710 | $78.71 | $115,203 | $9,600 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,710 | $82.55 | $120,275 | $10,023 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $140,880 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacist's $100,729 take-home pay has the buying power of $97,233 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Pharmacist jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for pharmacists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #23 of 29 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte, NC | $150,580 | $108,688 | $111,649 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $140,690 | $104,341 | $111,092 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $162,870 | $122,588 | $110,307 |
| 4 | Nashville, TN | $137,590 | $105,309 | $109,312 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $139,460 | $100,970 | $109,106 |
| 6 | Cincinnati, OH | $140,200 | $104,020 | $109,069 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $140,470 | $107,277 | $108,768 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $157,890 | $112,945 | $106,772 |
| 23 | Chicago, IL | $140,880 | $100,729 | $97,233 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
About the job: pharmacists
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.2% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Chicago, IL?
The median pharmacist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $140,880 a year, or about $67.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $126,050 and $163,710.
What is a pharmacist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $140,880 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $100,729 a year ($8,394 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,829 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $140,910. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $97,233 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #23 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median pharmacist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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