Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Downers Grove, IL: $65.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Downers Grove, IL runs $65.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,609 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Downers Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,372 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Downers Grove, Illinois, pharmacists earn a median hourly pay of $65.20, which is slightly below the national median of $68.99. This rate translates to robust earning potential for both full-time and part-time pharmacists across various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, specialty oncology centers, and mail-order fulfillment operations. Part-time pharmacists working three days a week averaging 24 hours could expect to earn approximately $1,564 weekly, while those involved in per-diem work can see varying rates influenced by the specific area of practice. The hourly pay scale ranges from $48.52 for entry-level positions to as much as $80.11 for the highest earners in the field, reflecting the variability in expertise, responsibilities, and the specific work environment.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.52 | $388.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.15 | $489.19 |
| Median (P50) | $65.20 | $521.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.20 | $601.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.11 | $640.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Downers Grove
Based on $65.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.20/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Downers Grove, IL can expect to earn approximately $135,620 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,242. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Downers Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Downers Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,608.07 | $11,302 | $135,620 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,564.84 | $6,781 | $81,372 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,043.23 | $4,521 | $54,248 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Downers Grove) | $65.20 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in Downers Grove, IL earn a median of $135,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.49% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $142,148.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.20/hr = $81,372/year (purchasing power: $83,802).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,620/year (purchasing power: $139,670).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$58.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Downers Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Downers Grove grew 10.0% from $58.20/hr (2019) to $64.03/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.39/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downers Grove metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacist in Downers Grove
For pharmacists considering part-time work in Downers Grove, the financial implications can be quite substantial. A part-time pharmacist working 24 hours per week will bring home around $81,228 annually, which may appeal to those seeking flexibility over a traditional full-time schedule. On the other hand, per diem pharmacist pay in this area can vary widely, with retail positions typically billing between $55-$75 per hour, while hospital clinical pharmacy roles command rates between $60-$85. Specialty pharmacists in critical care or oncology may earn even more, with hourly rates ranging from $70 to $95. These positions typically offer less job security but greater hourly compensation. When determining the right job, it's important to weigh the benefits against the hourly rate, especially as some pharmacists may prefer jobs offering health benefits even if they fetch a lower hourly rate. For those venturing into negotiations, understanding the local job market dynamics and employer types—ranging from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens to specialized hospital pharmacies—can be essential to achieving an optimal work-life balance while maximizing their earnings.
More salary data for Downers Grove, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists in Downers Grove. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Downers Grove is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov