Pharmacist Salary in DeKalb, IL: $136,778 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in DeKalb, IL earns a median $136,778/year (≈ $65.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in DeKalb's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $140,863 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for pharmacists in DeKalb, Illinois, is projected at $136,778, reflecting a competitive regional compensation landscape for this essential healthcare role. The salary range spans from $103,718 at the 10th percentile to $170,320 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the variance in earnings based on experience, certification, and role specificity. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and tailored to local economic conditions, reveal the structural divide within the profession, particularly between hospital clinical specialists, who generally command higher salaries, and retail pharmacy positions. As DeKalb navigates the evolving healthcare market, including shifts in retail landscape dynamics, it becomes critical for prospective pharmacists to understand these earning potentials relative to their specialties and employer types.
About the DeKalb Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,718 | $49.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,694 | $62.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,778 | $65.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,054 | $72.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,320 | $81.88 |
Median Salary Position
4.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in DeKalb
In DeKalb, IL, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,602 (2026 est.). At $136,778, the local median is 4.68% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in DeKalb: You'd be above the median
How DeKalb Pharmacist Pay Compares
DeKalb median: $136,778/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | DeKalb Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $142,181 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -4.68% less |
Pharmacists in DeKalb, IL earn a median of $136,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.68% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $142,181.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
DeKalb has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
DeKalb, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $136,778 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,863 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,100
2025 BLS Actual
$134,320
2026 Current Est.
$136,778
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,691 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,557 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,542 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,668 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,337 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,778 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,281 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the DeKalb metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $122,100 (2019) to $134,320 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,281 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,181 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the DeKalb 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $103,718 – $129,694 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,694 – $136,778 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,778 – $151,054 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,054 – $170,320 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in DeKalb
As of the latest projections, there are nine pharmacists employed in DeKalb, indicating a relatively small but focused local job market that could influence salary competitiveness. The cost of living index, standing at 97.1, suggests an affordability advantage compared to national averages, enabling healthcare professionals to stretch their purchasing power further. Among local employers, hospital pharmacies tend to offer more lucrative compensation packages compared to retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, which are facing challenges such as location closures and staffing reductions. Salary disparities are often driven by factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the demand for residency-trained professionals, particularly in inpatient settings. For pharmacists aiming to maximize their compensation in DeKalb, pursuing advanced certifications, considering roles in specialty or hospital settings, and adapting to the shifting retail landscape will be vital strategies.
More salary data for DeKalb, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $134,320 for pharmacistsin the DeKalb metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for DeKalb 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