Pharmacy Technician Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $42,935 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $42,935/year (≈ $20.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $46,942 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Chattanooga, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $42,935 in 2026, which reflects a competitive position in the job market despite being 11% lower than the national median. The salary range for pharmacy technicians here varies significantly, with the bottom 10% earning around $36,883, while the top earners can make up to $53,817. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlights the potential for overtime and shift differentials, particularly for those working overnight in retail settings. Notably, the increased demand for pharmacy technicians following the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to rising wages, helping to bridge the gap in compensation across various sectors in Chattanooga.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,883 | $17.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,066 | $18.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,935 | $20.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,799 | $23.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,817 | $25.87 |
Median Salary Position
11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,934 (2026 est.). At $42,935, the local median is 11% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chattanooga Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $42,935/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $40,891 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | -11.00% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $42,935 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.00% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 5.00% above the Tennessee state average of $40,891.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $42,935 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,942 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,420
2025 BLS Actual
$40,720
2026 Current Est.
$42,935
2019–2027 Growth
+44.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,935 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,271 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 29.6% from $31,420 (2019) to $40,720 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,271 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,851 (44.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,883 – $39,066 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,066 – $42,935 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,935 – $49,799 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,799 – $53,817 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Chattanooga
With 1,020 pharmacy technicians currently employed in the area, Chattanooga's job market offers promising opportunities for prospective candidates. The cost of living index of 91.464 indicates that while the pharmacy technician salary in Chattanooga is below the national averages, it aligns well with local living costs, potentially enhancing purchasing power for residents. Among local employers, retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens tend to offer lower wages compared to hospital pharmacies, which often pay more due to the need for specialized skills and adherence to regulations like USP <797> and <800>. Technicians looking to maximize their pay can consider obtaining the CSPT credential or pursuing roles in hospital sterile compounding, which commands higher salaries. Additionally, seeking positions that offer shift differentials or a flexible schedule in areas like specialty and long-term care pharmacies can further enhance earning potential in the Chattanooga market.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $40,720 for pharmacy techniciansin the Chattanooga metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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