Pharmacy Technician Salary in Illinois: $48,612 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 65 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacy technician pay sits at $48,612/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2052. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $50,064 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($47,309), Chicago ($46,820), Elgin ($46,402).
In 2026, the average median salary for pharmacy technicians in Illinois is projected to be $48,612, which is 0.8% above the national median of $48,239. This indicates that Illinois offers a slightly better salary landscape for pharmacy technicians compared to the national average. The highest-paying city in the state is Naperville, with a salary of $49,883, while the lowest is Urbana at $39,890, highlighting a salary gap of $9,993 between these two locations. Factors driving this disparity include the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local employer funding levels for pharmacy positions. Illinois has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence job roles. As a result, the demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow, evidenced by a projected annual growth rate of 5.44%. This demand is fueled by an increasing population, an aging demographic requiring more pharmaceutical care, and expansions in pharmacy services. As of 2026, there are 19,161 pharmacy technicians employed across the state, with major cities like Chicago ($49,367), Elgin ($48,926), Peoria ($48,618), and Moline ($48,375) providing strong job opportunities. Considering these trends, pharmacy technician roles in Illinois present a positive outlook for prospective professionals entering the field.
Illinois Pharmacy Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $33,179 (lowest entry-level) to $70,177 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois pharmacy technicians earn 0.77% more than the national median (+$373/year difference).
Illinois Pharmacy Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacy Technician salaries in Illinois range from $39,328 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,253 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,612. The Illinois median is $373 above the US national median of $48,239. The average hourly rate is $23.37/hr. Approximately 19,161 pharmacy technicians are employed across 65 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,174
2025 BLS Actual
$46,104
2026 Current Est.
$48,612
2019–2027 Growth
+59.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,174 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,207 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,476 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,375 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,344 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,578 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,104 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,612 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,256 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 43.3% from $32,174 (2019) to $46,104 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,256 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,082 (59.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Urbana | $39,890 |
| Champaign | $40,036 |
| Kankakee | $41,322 |
| Carbondale | $42,047 |
| Elmhurst | $42,466 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacy Technicians in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacy technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria | $48,618 | 91.231 | $53,291 |
| Rockford | $47,627 | 92.154 | $51,682 |
| Naperville | $49,883 | 97.1 | $51,373 |
| Elgin | $48,926 | 97.1 | $50,387 |
| Moline | $48,375 | 97.1 | $49,820 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,328 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,612 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,253 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 65 Cities in Illinois
More Illinois Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacy technicians.
Compare Cities in Illinois
View all comparisons →Explore More Pharmacy Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Illinois in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacy technicians in Illinois?
How does Illinois pharmacy technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacy technician salary in Illinois?
How many pharmacy technicians are employed in Illinois?
Which Illinois city offers the best value for pharmacy technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacy technician compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 65 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacy technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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