Healthcare Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Pharmacist Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median pharmacist salary in Rockford, IL is $111,510 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 13.4% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$111,510
vs State Avg
$-17,258
vs National
$-21,240
Cost of Living
82%

Pharmacist Pay in Rockford: What to Expect (2026)

Rockford offers a median pharmacist salary of $111,510, which is $17,258 below the Illinois state average of $128,768. Compared to the national median of $132,750, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $111,510 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $135,988 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for pharmacists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for pharmacists in Rockford spans from $80,808 at the 10th percentile to $139,272 at the 90th percentile — a $58,464 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $84,000, while senior pharmacists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $132,720. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Pharmacist Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level pharmacist earns around $84,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $132,720 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$84,000
$-16,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$109,200
$-20,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$132,720
$-25,280 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $80,808
25th Percentile $98,280
Median (50th) $111,510
75th Percentile $127,848
90th Percentile $139,272

Pharmacist Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$146,025
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$144,698
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$128,768
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$115,493
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Pharmacist in Rockford

Education

Most pharmacist positions require a doctoral degree. Rockford and the surrounding Illinois area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PharmacologyPatient CounselingDrug InteractionsCompoundingClinical ReviewPharmacy Software

Job Outlook

Nationally, pharmacist employment is projected to grow 2% over the next decade (slower than average). Demand in Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Pharmacist Jobs in Rockford

Browse open pharmacist positions in Rockford, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Pharmacist Salary in Rockford

How much does a Pharmacist make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median pharmacist salary in Rockford, Illinois is $111,510 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $132,750. Salaries range from $80,808 (10th percentile) to $139,272 (90th percentile).
How much does a Pharmacist make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $111,510, a pharmacist in Rockford earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for pharmacist pay? ▼
Rockford's median pharmacist salary of $111,510 is 13.4% below the Illinois state average of $128,768. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a pharmacist salary of $111,510 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a pharmacist in Rockford? ▼
Most pharmacist positions in Rockford require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Pharmacology, Patient Counseling, Drug Interactions, Compounding. The job market is projected to grow 2% nationally over the next decade.