Pharmacy Tech Pay

Clarksville vs Knoxville: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Clarksville, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clarksville, TN
$44,538
$21.41/hr
Knoxville, TN
$40,352
$19.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClarksville, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$44,538$40,352
Hourly Rate$21.41$19.40
Entry Level (P10)$36,851$37,094
25th Percentile$38,475$38,686
75th Percentile$51,497$49,103
Top Earner (P90)$58,445$52,520
Total Employed3701,500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clarksville ($44,538) and Knoxville ($40,352) pharmacy technician salaries.ClarksvilleKnoxvilleMedian Salary$44,538$40,352Entry Level (P10)$36,851$37,094Top Earner (P90)$58,445$52,520US Median $48,239

Verdict

Clarksville, TN offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Clarksville and Knoxville is $4,186 (10.37%). Clarksville's median is -7.67% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clarksville spans $21,594,Knoxville spans $15,426. Clarksville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Clarksville
P10 (Entry)$36,851
P25$38,475
Median$44,538
P75$51,497
P90 (Top)$58,445
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$37,094
P25$38,686
Median$40,352
P75$49,103
P90 (Top)$52,520

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Clarksville ($48,971 effective) pays 12.34% more than Knoxville ($43,591 effective).

Clarksville
Nominal: $44,538
CoL Index: 90.947
Adjusted: $48,971
Knoxville
Nominal: $40,352
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $43,591

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clarksville if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,538/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,445)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,971)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (1,500 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Clarksville grew 26.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.2% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Clarksville, TN

+26.1%

$33,510 (2019) → $42,240 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+30.2%

$29,400 (2019) → $38,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Clarksville or Knoxville?

Clarksville has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $44,538/year, compared to Knoxville at $40,352/year — a difference of $4,186 (10.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clarksville and Knoxville?

Clarksville pharmacy technicians earn $21.41/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $19.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clarksville to Knoxville as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clarksville and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clarksville = $48,971, Knoxville = $43,591), job availability (370 vs 1,500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Clarksville vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $36,851 in Clarksville and $37,094 in Knoxville. The Knoxville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

ET

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

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