Pharmacist Salary in Northbrook, IL: $140,198 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Northbrook, IL earns a median $140,198/year (≈ $67.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Northbrook's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $144,385 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Northbrook, IL, can expect a median annual salary of $140,198, which is slightly below the national median of $143,489 for the same year. The salary range for pharmacists in this area spans from $100,335 at the 10th percentile to $167,376 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, taking into account cost-of-living adjustments. The dynamics of pay vary greatly depending on the pharmacist's setting—hospital clinical specialists typically earn more compared to retail pharmacists in positions like pharmacy-in-charge (PIC) or staff roles, which impacts overall earnings potential in the Northbrook job market.
About the Northbrook Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,335 | $48.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,631 | $61.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,198 | $67.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,045 | $76.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,376 | $80.47 |
Median Salary Position
2.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Northbrook
In Northbrook, IL, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,041 (2026 est.). At $140,198, the local median is 2.29% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Northbrook: You'd be above the median
How Northbrook Pharmacist Pay Compares
Northbrook median: $140,198/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Northbrook Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $142,188 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -2.29% less |
Pharmacists in Northbrook, IL earn a median of $140,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.29% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $142,188.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Northbrook 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.
Northbrook, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $140,198 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,385 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$125,152
2025 BLS Actual
$137,678
2026 Current Est.
$140,198
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Northbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,152 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,758 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,621 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,705 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,421 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,678 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,198 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,763 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Northbrook metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $125,152 (2019) to $137,678 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,763 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,611 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Northbrook 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) | $100,335 – $128,631 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,631 – $140,198 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,198 – $159,045 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,045 – $167,376 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Northbrook
Looking deeper into the local job market, only eight pharmacists are currently employed in Northbrook, highlighting a competitive landscape for positions in the area. The cost of living index sits at 97.1, suggesting that retail salaries must stretch further in this affordable region, affecting take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers who tend to pay the most include hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty drug providers like Accredo, where higher compensation often correlates with additional responsibilities or board certifications. The relative earning gap can be attributed to factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the impact of retail chain consolidations post-2024, which may reduce opportunities for staff-level roles. To maximize pay, pursuing residency training or additional certifications through organizations like ASHP or BPS can significantly enhance salary prospects, as hospitals increasingly favor candidates with advanced qualifications in a tightening job market.
More salary data for Northbrook, 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 $137,678 for pharmacistsin the Northbrook 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 Northbrook 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