Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Skokie, IL: $21.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Skokie, IL runs $21.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,886 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Skokie's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,331 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Skokie, Illinois, the pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected to reach $21.10 in 2026. This figure falls short of the national median hourly rate of $23.19, implying that pharmacy technicians in the area might earn slightly less than their counterparts in other regions. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the total earnings can be substantial, especially in settings like retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacy clean rooms, or specialty compounding facilities. Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Skokie can expect to earn around $17.09 per hour, while those at the top of the pay scale can make up to $28.12. The range illustrates the diverse opportunities available within the profession, leading to potential variations in income, particularly for per-diem shifts where pay can vary based on experience and the complexity of the required tasks.
About the Skokie Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.09 | $136.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.43 | $139.43 |
| Median (P50) | $21.10 | $168.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.18 | $185.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.12 | $224.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Skokie
Based on $21.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.10/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Skokie, IL can expect to earn approximately $43,885 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,318. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Skokie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Skokie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $843.94 | $3,657 | $43,885 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $506.37 | $2,194 | $26,331 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $337.58 | $1,463 | $17,554 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Skokie) | $21.10 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Skokie, IL earn a median of $43,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.02% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 2.20% below the Illinois state average of $44,873.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.10/hr = $26,331/year (purchasing power: $27,117).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,885/year (purchasing power: $45,196).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Skokie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Skokie grew 34.8% from $14.85/hr (2019) to $20.01/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Skokie 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 5.44% 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 Pharmacy Technician in Skokie
Examining the earning potential reveals significant variations in Skokie based on employment type and work schedule. A part-time pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week may see annual pay around $26,000, considerably less than a full-time technician but with the flexibility many seek. The per diem pharmacy technician pay in Skokie can range from $20 to $32 per hour, with hospital sterile compounding roles fetching higher rates—between $25 and $40 per hour. Shortages in hospital settings can lead to lucrative travel contracts, where pharmacy technicians may bring in between $1,200 and $1,800 per week. Employment in retail pharmacy chains versus hospitals or specialty pharmacies also affects pay, with hospital environments typically offering better wages due to the complexity of tasks involved, such as compliance with USP <797> / <800>. Furthermore, technicians often face trade-offs: some may opt for lower hourly wages with the stability of benefits, while others might prefer higher pay without health insurance. Negotiating pay in Skokie can be advantageous, particularly when emphasizing specialized skills and certifications like PTCB and CSPT credentials, which can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Skokie, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD
Career Analyst
Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.
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 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Skokie. 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 Skokie 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 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov