Pharmacy Technician Salary in Cookeville, TN: $38,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Cookeville, TN earns a median $38,857/year (≈ $18.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Cookeville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $42,328 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $38,857 in 2026, Cookeville is positioned below the national average for pharmacy technicians, which stands at $48,239. The local salary range spans from $31,978 at the 10th percentile to $49,657 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost efficiencies, reflect the unique economic landscape of Cookeville, TN. Factors such as shift differentials offered for overnight shifts and premium rates commonly seen in retail settings contribute to the compensation levels but do not entirely offset the lower median relative to national counterparts. Given Cookeville's relatively modest pay, the job market remains an important area of focus for aspiring pharmacy technicians.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($37,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,978 | $15.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,668 | $15.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,857 | $18.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,718 | $20.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,657 | $23.87 |
Median Salary Position
19.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cookeville
In Cookeville, TN, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,679 (2026 est.). At $38,857, the local median is 19.45% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cookeville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cookeville Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Cookeville median: $38,857/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cookeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $40,902 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -19.45% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Cookeville, TN earn a median of $38,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.45% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $40,902.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cookeville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cookeville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $38,857 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,328 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,347
2025 BLS Actual
$36,852
2026 Current Est.
$38,857
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,347 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,273 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,594 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,462 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,274 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,852 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,971 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cookeville metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $27,347 (2019) to $36,852 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,971 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,624 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cookeville 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) | $31,978 – $32,668 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,668 – $38,857 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,857 – $41,718 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,718 – $49,657 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Cookeville
In Cookeville, only 7 pharmacy technicians are currently employed, illustrating a competitive job market where opportunities are limited. The cost-of-living index in the area is 91.8, indicating that while salaries may be lower compared to the national average, the purchasing power may be relatively more manageable. Employers such as hospital pharmacies and specialty operations often command higher wages compared to retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. In particular, those engaged in sterile compounding within hospitals tend to see the best compensation due to the required compliance with USP <797> and <800>. To maximize pay, pharmacy technicians should consider obtaining the CSPT credential or seeking positions that offer shift differentials and lead pay. Furthermore, those willing to pursue roles in inpatient facilities may find more attractive compensation packages compared to traditional retail settings, making it advisable for technicians to explore their options strategically in Cookeville’s evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Cookeville, 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 $36,852 for pharmacy techniciansin the Cookeville 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
Salary data for Cookeville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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