Pharmacy Aide Salary in Chicago, IL
Pharmacy Aides in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $37,010 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,230 take-home, or $2,519 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacy aide salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,261
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,295
- Medicare (1.45%)$537
- Illinois income tax$1,687
- Take-home pay$30,230
Marginal rate: 12% 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.
Pharmacy Aide pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,640 | $16.65 | $28,443 | $2,370 |
| 25th percentile | $35,960 | $17.29 | $29,439 | $2,453 |
| Median (50th) | $37,010 | $17.79 | $30,230 | $2,519 |
| 75th percentile | $37,960 | $18.25 | $30,947 | $2,579 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,420 | $18.47 | $31,293 | $2,608 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,010 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 pharmacy aide's $30,230 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,181 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Pharmacy Aide jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for pharmacy aides, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #12 of 15 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix, AZ | $43,360 | $36,145 | $34,984 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $45,400 | $38,659 | $34,786 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $42,640 | $35,132 | $34,257 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $39,140 | $33,629 | $34,096 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $46,830 | $38,337 | $33,159 |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $44,810 | $36,821 | $32,909 |
| 7 | Riverside, CA | $41,600 | $34,411 | $32,329 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $39,160 | $32,235 | $32,217 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $37,010 | $30,230 | $29,181 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 15 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacy aide make in Chicago, IL?
The median pharmacy aide salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $37,010 a year, or about $17.79 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,960 and $37,960.
What is a pharmacy aide’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $37,010 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $30,230 a year ($2,519 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,687 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a pharmacy aide?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $37,680. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,181 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #12 of 15 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacy aide 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) — 61% of a median pharmacy aide’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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- Occupational Therapy Assistant — $67,840
- Massage Therapist — $61,200
- Dental Assistant — $48,950
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $48,630
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $48,440
- Medical Assistant — $47,270
- Phlebotomist — $47,190
- Nursing Assistant — $46,940
- Orderly — $39,640
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $39,280
- Medical Transcriptionist — $38,700