Pharmacy Technician Salary in Cleveland, TN: $38,675 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Cleveland, TN earns a median $38,675/year (≈ $18.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.1), that paycheck buys what $43,909 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Cleveland, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $38,675 in 2026, which reflects a significant regional difference compared to the national median of $48,239. The salary range here varies from $33,467 at the 10th percentile to $52,098 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while many technicians earn near the median, there are opportunities for higher compensation based on experience and setting. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights a local market where shift differentials and premiums for overnight roles can increasingly tip the scales for technicians seeking to enhance their earnings. With approximately 200 pharmacy technicians employed in the area, Cleveland's job market presents both challenges and opportunities for aspiring professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,467 | $16.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,389 | $17.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,675 | $18.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,394 | $22.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,098 | $25.04 |
Median Salary Position
19.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, TN, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,631 (2026 est.). At $38,675, the local median is 19.83% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $38,675/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $40,883 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -19.83% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Cleveland, TN earn a median of $38,675 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.83% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 5.40% below the Tennessee state average of $40,883.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 11.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, TN has a cost-of-living index of 88.08 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $38,675 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,909 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,180
2025 BLS Actual
$36,680
2026 Current Est.
$38,675
2019–2027 Growth
+39.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,675 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,779 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 25.7% from $29,180 (2019) to $36,680 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,779 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,599 (39.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $33,467 – $37,389 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,389 – $38,675 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,675 – $46,394 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,394 – $52,098 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Cleveland
A cost-of-living index of 88.08 in Cleveland suggests that pharmacy technician pay in the area offers a more favorable purchasing power compared to many other regions. Major employers, including retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, as well as local hospitals and specialty pharmacies, generally provide the highest compensation. To maximize earnings, technicians might pursue advanced certifications such as the CSPT, which tends to command a premium in hospital and specialty settings. Furthermore, understanding the wage disparities based on the work environment—where hospital sterile compounding roles generally pay more than retail positions—can assist in career planning. Strategies such as seeking out night shifts and additional training can be beneficial for those navigating salary negotiations in the Cleveland market.
More salary data for Cleveland, 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 $36,680 for pharmacy techniciansin the Cleveland 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