Bloomington vs Chicago: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)
Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Bloomington, IL and Chicago, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Bloomington, IL | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $45,329 | $49,367▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $21.79 | $23.73▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,145 | $39,835▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $37,241 | $40,942▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $52,214 | $52,667▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $52,783 | $62,389▲ |
| Total Employed | 270 | 15,830▲ |
Verdict
Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bloomington.
The salary gap between Bloomington and Chicago is $4,038 (8.91%). Chicago's median is +2.34% compared to the US national median of $48,239.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bloomington spans $16,638,Chicago spans $22,554. Chicago has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Bloomington ($48,461 effective) pays 1.69% more than Chicago ($47,654 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Bloomington if…
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,461)
- ✓You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle
Choose Chicago if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($49,367/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($62,389)
- ✓Larger job market (15,830 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Bloomington grew 43.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 44.7% growth in Chicago over the same period.
Bloomington, IL
$30,000 (2019) → $42,990 (2025)
Chicago, IL
$32,360 (2019) → $46,820 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Bloomington, IL
Chicago, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Bloomington or Chicago?
What is the hourly rate difference between Bloomington and Chicago?
Should I relocate from Bloomington to Chicago as a pharmacy technician?
What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Bloomington vs Chicago?
Related Comparisons
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
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov