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Pharmacy Technician Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

a Pharmacy Technician pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $41,920/yr — 8% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #40 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Pharmacy Technician.

Median salary
$41,920/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$37,060 – $48,270
National median
$45,750/yr
Employed in Tennessee
11,870

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Tennessee

Salary alone can mislead — Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
91.9
Nominal median
$41,920
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $45,615
State income tax
None

Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #30 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #40 on raw salary.

Tennessee levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do pharmacy technician professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $41,920 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $37,060 and $48,270. That's 8% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for pharmacy technician?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #40 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $45,615. Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #30 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #40 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are pharmacy technician professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 11,870 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +6.4% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Pharmacy Technician nationally — Tennessee pay is 8% below the national median. See the full a Pharmacy Technician career guide →

The verdict

Maybe — pharmacy tech is a fast, cheap entry into health care with faster-than-average growth, but pay is low and the ceiling is limited unless you use it as a stepping stone (e.g., toward pharmacist). Good as a start, weak as a destination.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Very low cost, fast entry (weeks to months)
  • Faster-than-average projected growth
  • Stable, clean health-care environment
  • Good stepping stone toward pharmacist/nursing
  • Widely available jobs (retail, hospital)

Cons

  • Low pay with a limited ceiling
  • Repetitive, high-volume work
  • Retail settings can be high-pressure
  • Advancement usually needs more schooling

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting a fast, cheap health-care entry
  • Those using it as a stepping stone
  • Anyone who values stable, structured work

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who need higher pay soon
  • Those wanting significant advancement in the role

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Pharmacy Technician is worth it — titles link to the original threads.