Pharmacy Technician Salary in Tennessee: $44,869 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacy technician pay sits at $44,869/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2052. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,877 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($45,950), Franklin ($45,397), Memphis ($45,260).
In Tennessee, the average median salary for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is projected to be $44,869, which is approximately 7.0% lower than the national median of $48,239. The highest paying city for pharmacy technicians in the state is Nashville, where salaries are expected to reach $48,450, while Tullahoma reports the lowest at $37,784, creating a salary gap of $10,666. This disparity is largely driven by variations in local demand for pharmacy services, the cost of living, and the types of healthcare facilities available in each area. Pharmacy technicians in Tennessee must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to specific scope of practice laws that determine what tasks they can perform. The demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.44%, reflecting ongoing needs in retail and clinical settings. As the healthcare industry continues to expand, particularly in urban centers like Franklin, Memphis, Murfreesboro, and Clarksville, the job market for pharmacy technicians remains solid. For those considering this career path, understanding these factors can aid in making informed decisions about where to pursue opportunities within the state.
Tennessee Pharmacy Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $30,677 (lowest entry-level) to $64,477 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee pharmacy technicians earn 6.99% less than the national median ($-3,370/year difference).
Tennessee Pharmacy Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacy Technician salaries in Tennessee range from $37,221 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $58,677 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $44,869. The Tennessee median is $3,370 below the US national median of $48,239. The average hourly rate is $21.57/hr. Approximately 10,242 pharmacy technicians are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,903
2025 BLS Actual
$42,554
2026 Current Est.
$44,869
2019–2027 Growth
+48.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,903 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,541 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,475 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,651 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,254 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,869 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,310 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 33.4% from $31,903 (2019) to $42,554 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,310 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,407 (48.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tullahoma | $37,784 |
| Sevierville | $38,609 |
| Morristown | $38,654 |
| Cleveland | $38,675 |
| Maryville | $38,831 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacy Technicians in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacy technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | $47,867 | 91.8 | $52,143 |
| Murfreesboro | $47,591 | 91.8 | $51,842 |
| Memphis | $47,722 | 92.179 | $51,771 |
| Nashville | $48,450 | 96.338 | $50,292 |
| Clarksville | $44,538 | 90.947 | $48,971 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $37,221 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $44,869 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $58,677 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $48,450 |
| 2 | Franklin | $47,867 |
| 3 | Memphis | $47,722 |
| 4 | Murfreesboro | $47,591 |
| 5 | Clarksville | $44,538 |
| 6 | Chattanooga | $42,935 |
| 7 | Smyrna | $41,336 |
| 8 | Jackson | $41,216 |
| 9 | Bartlett | $41,129 |
| 10 | Collierville | $40,987 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $40,672 |
| 12 | Johnson City | $40,573 |
| 13 | Knoxville | $40,352 |
| 14 | Lebanon | $40,126 |
| 15 | Oak Ridge | $40,123 |
| 16 | Columbia | $39,854 |
| 17 | Kingsport | $39,814 |
| 18 | Germantown | $39,803 |
| 19 | Hendersonville | $39,723 |
| 20 | Gallatin | $39,654 |
| 21 | Brentwood | $39,447 |
| 22 | Shelbyville | $39,140 |
| 23 | Mount Juliet | $39,139 |
| 24 | La Vergne | $39,057 |
| 25 | Cookeville | $38,857 |
| 26 | Maryville | $38,831 |
| 27 | Cleveland | $38,675 |
| 28 | Morristown | $38,654 |
| 29 | Sevierville | $38,609 |
| 30 | Tullahoma | $37,784 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore pharmacy technician hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacy technicians.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Pharmacy Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacy technicians in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee pharmacy technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacy technician salary in Tennessee?
How many pharmacy technicians are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for pharmacy technicians?
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
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacy technician compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacy technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov