Pharmacy Tech Pay

Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Memphis, TN: $22.94 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Memphis, TN runs $22.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,722 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Memphis's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,634 per year.

$47,722
Median Annual Salary
$22.94/hr
Hourly Rate
$38,707
Entry Level (P10)
$60,343
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Pharmacy Technician Hourly Rate in Memphis, TN — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Memphis, TN pharmacy technician hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Memphis, TN, pharmacy technicians will earn a median hourly rate of $22.94, which falls slightly below the national median of $23.19. This discrepancy reflects the local job market for entry-level positions while offering an accessible entry point for individuals pursuing careers in diverse pharmacy settings, including retail counters, hospital pharmacies, and specialized compounding environments. Entry-level roles typically start at around $18.61 per hour, while experienced pharmacy technicians can earn up to $29.02 per hour. This robust hourly range underscores the growth potential in the field and highlights opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers, especially as demand for pharmacy services continues to rise post-pandemic. According to the projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, these figures position Memphis competitively within the regional and national healthcare landscape for pharmacy technicians.

Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$18.61$148.88
Lower Range (P25)$19.13$153.01
Median (P50)$22.94$183.55
Upper Range (P75)$24.94$199.49
Top Earners (P90)$29.02$232.14

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Memphis

Based on $22.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a pharmacy technician in Memphis earning $22.94/hr would make approximately $27,532 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $47,723 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$27,532Reduced (32 hr/wk)$36,710Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$47,723

At $22.94/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Memphis, TN can expect to earn approximately $47,723 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,532. With a cost-of-living index of 92.18 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Memphis.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$183.55
per 8hr shift
$917.75
per week
$3,977
per month
$47,723
per year

Schedule Comparison in Memphis

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$917.75$3,977$47,723
Part-Time (24 hrs)$550.65$2,386$28,634
Per Diem (16 hrs)$367.10$1,591$19,089

Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Pharmacy Technician (Memphis)$22.94
Medical Assistant (National Avg)$20.14
Dental Assistant (National Avg)$21.29
Phlebotomist (National Avg)$20.36
Registered Nurse (National Avg)$42.80
Horizontal bar chart comparing pharmacy technician median salary in Memphis ($47,722) with Tennessee average ($40,893) and the US national median ($48,239).Memphis$47,722Tennessee Avg$40,893+16.70%US National$48,239-1.07%

Pharmacy Technicians in Memphis, TN earn a median of $47,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.07% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 16.70% above the Tennessee state average of $40,893.

Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $22.94/hr = $28,634/year (purchasing power: $31,063).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,723/year (purchasing power: $51,772).

CoL index: 92.179 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$16.86/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$21.76/hr

2026 Current Est.

$22.94/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+43.5%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Memphis (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for pharmacy technicians in Memphis. Baseline $16.86/hr in 2025, projected to $24.19/hr by 2027.$15$18$21$23$262019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$16.86$17.26$17.53$17.70$18.71$18.93$21.76$22.94$24.19
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$16.86/hrActual
2020$17.26/hrActual
2021$17.53/hrActual
2022$17.70/hrActual
2023$18.71/hrActual
2024$18.93/hrActual
2025$21.76/hrActual
2026(current)$22.94/hrEstimated
2027$24.19/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Memphis grew 29.1% from $16.86/hr (2019) to $21.76/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.19/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Memphis

For those considering part-time work as pharmacy technicians in Memphis, a typical schedule of three days per week could yield an annual take-home pay of approximately $28,407, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. Per-diem pharmacy technician pay in Memphis tends to fluctuate, with many billing between $20 and $32 per hour depending on their specific roles and responsibilities. For instance, hospital sterile compounding technicians can earn between $25 to $40 per hour on a per-diem basis, while specialized travel contracts might bring in between $1,200 to $1,800 per week in high-demand areas. Hourly rates can vary notably across employer types, with retail pharmacies offering slightly lower wages compared to hospital settings, which typically feature higher pay scales to attract qualified personnel, especially for positions compliant with USP <797> and <800>. While some pharmacy technicians may choose to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prefer higher pay without benefits, impacting their job selection and career strategies in this evolving market. Negotiation skills play a critical role in maximizing hourly pay, particularly for those working in diverse pharmacy environments throughout Memphis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Memphis in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Memphis is $22.94/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.44% annual growth). Rates range from $18.61 at entry level (10th percentile) to $29.02 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 1.1% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Memphis?

A part-time pharmacy technician working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Memphis earns approximately $2,386/month, or $28,634/year at the median hourly rate of $22.94. Many pharmacy technicians prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are pharmacy technicians in Memphis paid hourly or salary?

The majority of pharmacy technicians in Memphis are paid hourly at a median rate of $22.94/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $47,723/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Memphis?

A full-time pharmacy technician working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Memphis earns approximately $47,723/year at the median hourly rate of $22.94. This is 1.1% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $60,356/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Memphis?

Part-time and per diem pharmacy technicians in Memphis sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $29.02/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Tennessee

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

Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Memphis. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.

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

Last verified: