Pharmacy Aides in Illinois
Considering working as a Pharmacy Aides in Illinois? Below are the key facts. Record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs. May operate cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.
What do Pharmacy Aides Make in Illinois?
The pharmacy aides working in Illinois, wages run about $37,090 per year (or roughly $17.83/hour).Earnings range from $35,560 at the 10th percentile to $42,980 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,560 | $17.10 |
| 25th percentile | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Median (50th) | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| 75th percentile | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| 90th percentile | $42,980 | $20.66 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Illinois nationwide is 0.78, meaning fewer pharmacy aides per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, pharmacy aides earn a median of $47,369 per year ($22.77/hour), lower than the Illinois median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 49,707 pharmacy aides nationwide. In Illinois alone, around 1,260 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 530 pharmacy aides.
Top Illinois Metros for Pharmacy Aides
The metro areas below employ the most pharmacy aides in Illinois.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 990 | $36,750 |
Top States for Pharmacy Aides Employment
These states have the highest employment of pharmacy aides work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 9,430 |
| Texas | 3,300 |
| New York | 2,800 |
| Florida | 1,570 |
| North Carolina | 1,530 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,500 |
| Illinois | 1,260 |
| Washington | 1,250 |
| Ohio | 1,220 |
| Puerto Rico | 1,160 |
| Oklahoma | 1,030 |
| Louisiana | 990 |
| Michigan | 950 |
| Tennessee | 880 |
| Iowa | 880 |
| Georgia | 850 |
| New Jersey | 840 |
| Maryland | 730 |
| Minnesota | 670 |
| Kentucky | 630 |
Highest-Paying States for Pharmacy Aides
Where pharmacy aides earn the most: pharmacy aides.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $55,590 |
| California | $44,060 |
| Washington | $43,320 |
| Hawaii | $41,930 |
| Utah | $38,970 |
| Arizona | $38,800 |
| Oregon | $38,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,280 |
| Idaho | $37,940 |
| Nevada | $37,760 |
Skills
The most important pharmacy aides skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for pharmacy aides, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, pharmacy aides typically:
- Greet customers and help them locate merchandise.
- Accept prescriptions for filling, gathering and processing necessary information.
- Operate cash register to process cash or credit sales.
- Answer telephone inquiries, referring callers to pharmacist when necessary.
- Receive, store, and inventory pharmaceutical supplies or medications, check for out-of-date medications, and notify pharmacist when inventory levels are low.
- Unpack, sort, count, and label incoming merchandise, including items requiring special handling or refrigeration.
- Restock storage areas, replenishing items on shelves.
- Maintain and clean equipment, work areas, or shelves.
- Prepare prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer.
- Compound, package, and label pharmaceutical products, under direction of pharmacist.
- Process medical insurance claims, posting bill amounts and calculating copayments.
- Perform clerical tasks, such as filing, compiling and maintaining prescription records, or composing letters.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
- Training and Teaching Others
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Other careers like pharmacy aides include:
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Medical Records Specialists
- Opticians, Dispensing
Also Known As
Certified Pharmacist Assistant, Dispensary Attendant, Drug Clerk, Drug Purchaser, Front Counter Clerk, Pharmaceutical Assistant, Pharmacist Aide, Pharmacist Assistant, Pharmacist Helper, Pharmacist's Aide, Pharmacy Administrator (Pharmacy Admin), Pharmacy Aide, Pharmacy Ancillary, Pharmacy Assistant, Pharmacy Cashier.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 31-9095.00