Pharmacy Tech Pay

Nashville vs Shelbyville: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Nashville, TN
$48,450
$23.29/hr
Shelbyville, TN
$39,140
$18.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNashville, TNShelbyville, TN
Median Salary$48,450$39,140
Hourly Rate$23.29$18.82
Entry Level (P10)$38,781$32,482
25th Percentile$40,679$33,131
75th Percentile$52,889$41,623
Top Earner (P90)$64,477$49,074
Total Employed3,3404
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nashville ($48,450) and Shelbyville ($39,140) pharmacy technician salaries.NashvilleShelbyvilleMedian Salary$48,450$39,140Entry Level (P10)$38,781$32,482Top Earner (P90)$64,477$49,074US Median $48,239

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shelbyville.

The salary gap between Nashville and Shelbyville is $9,310 (23.79%). Nashville's median is +0.44% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Nashville spans $25,696,Shelbyville spans $16,592. Nashville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Nashville
P10 (Entry)$38,781
P25$40,679
Median$48,450
P75$52,889
P90 (Top)$64,477
Shelbyville
P10 (Entry)$32,482
P25$33,131
Median$39,140
P75$41,623
P90 (Top)$49,074

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($50,292 effective) pays 17.96% more than Shelbyville ($42,636 effective).

Nashville
Nominal: $48,450
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $50,292
Shelbyville
Nominal: $39,140
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $42,636

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,450/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,477)
  • Larger job market (3,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,292)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Shelbyville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Nashville grew 44.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.2% growth in Shelbyville over the same period.

Nashville, TN

+44.9%

$31,720 (2019) → $45,950 (2025)

Shelbyville, TN

+14.2%

$32,509 (2024) → $37,121 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Nashville or Shelbyville?

Nashville has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,450/year, compared to Shelbyville at $39,140/year — a difference of $9,310 (23.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nashville and Shelbyville?

Nashville pharmacy technicians earn $23.29/hr while Shelbyville hygienists earn $18.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Nashville to Shelbyville as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nashville and Shelbyville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nashville = $50,292, Shelbyville = $42,636), job availability (3,340 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Nashville vs Shelbyville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $38,781 in Nashville and $32,482 in Shelbyville. The Nashville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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