How Much Does a Pharmacy Tech Make in Tennessee in 2026?

A typical Pharmacy Tech in Tennessee earns about $20.15 per hour, or $41,920 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $3,493 a month. On a weekly basis, pay comes to about $806, calculated from the annual figure. These figures reflect what a Pharmacy Tech with typical experience earns across the state.

That is below the national figures of $45,750 a year and $22.00 an hour, a gap of about 8%. Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories for Pharmacy Tech pay. Lower pay in Tennessee tracks its lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states. About 11,870 Pharmacy Techs work across Tennessee, giving a sense of scale for these figures.

Entry-level positions in Tennessee typically offer around $17.09 per hour, or about $35,550 a year, according to the latest data. These roles often go to Pharmacy Techs who are new to the field or working toward certification. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $41,920 within a few years of steady work. Setting and certification status both play a role in how quickly that happens.

Experienced Pharmacy Techs in Tennessee often earn upwards of $26.65 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $55,430 a year. That leaves a spread of $19,880 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where a given Pharmacy Tech falls within that range.

Tennessee Pharmacy Tech pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, typical pay stood at $29,090 a year; by 2025 it reached $41,920, according to the latest data. That is a gain of $12,830, or 44%, over ten years. The increase reflects a long, steady climb rather than a single jump.

Nationally, Pharmacy Tech pay rose 50% over the same ten years, a slightly faster pace than Tennessee's climb. For someone starting out now, that history shows pay has moved up steadily across the state, though past gains do not guarantee future ones. Current entry-level and typical figures still offer a reasonable starting point for planning.

Pay runs highest in the Nashville area, where Franklin, Murfreesboro, Davidson County, and Nashville itself share a typical figure of $45,950 a year ($22.09 an hour), about 10% above the state figure. These city figures cover each metro area as a whole, not just the city center. Memphis follows closely, with typical pay of $45,260 a year. Chattanooga and Clarksville pay less, at $40,720 and $42,240 respectively.

Morristown pays the least among Tennessee's listed cities, at $36,660 a year, a spread of $9,290 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Franklin also has the largest Pharmacy Tech workforce, with 3,340 techs, tied with Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Davidson County under the same metro figure. Higher pay in the Nashville area tends to track its higher cost of living compared with smaller Tennessee cities.

Tennessee's neighbors show a mixed picture. Virginia pays more, with typical pay of $44,610 a year, about 6% above Tennessee, and North Carolina runs similarly high at $44,530. Arkansas pays less, at $38,680 a year, about 8% below Tennessee, and Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama pay somewhat less as well. Pharmacy Tech licensure or registration in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Pharmacy Techs in Tennessee typically earn $41,920 a year ($20.15 an hour) today, up 44% over the past decade. That growth has been steady rather than dramatic, and current pay still runs below the national figure. Readers weighing this career should check Tennessee's pharmacy technician registration requirements with the state board of pharmacy, and compare local pay using city-level pages for a closer look at their own market.