Pharmacy Technician Salary in Knoxville, TN: $40,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Knoxville, TN earns a median $40,352/year (≈ $19.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $43,591 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Knoxville, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $40,352 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $48,239. The salary range in this market spans from $37,094 at the lower end (P10) to $52,520 at the upper echelons (P90). These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflect the distinct pay gradient that exists between hospital sterile compounding positions and retail pharmacy roles. With the increasing complexity of medication management and compliance standards in hospitals, the potential salary differentiation becomes a pivotal consideration for pharmacy technicians deciding between these two distinct work environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,094 | $17.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,686 | $18.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,352 | $19.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,103 | $23.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,520 | $25.25 |
Median Salary Position
16.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,426 (2026 est.). At $40,352, the local median is 16.35% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Knoxville Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $40,352/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $40,883 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -16.35% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $40,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.35% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.30% below the Tennessee state average of $40,883.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $40,352 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,591 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,400
2025 BLS Actual
$38,270
2026 Current Est.
$40,352
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,547 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 30.2% from $29,400 (2019) to $38,270 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,547 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,147 (44.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $37,094 – $38,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,686 – $40,352 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,352 – $49,103 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,103 – $52,520 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Knoxville
In Knoxville, approximately 1,500 pharmacy technicians are currently employed, contributing to a robust local job market within this profession. The cost of living index stands at 92.569, meaning that while salaries may be below the national average, they can still provide a reasonable quality of life in the area. Employers that tend to offer the highest pharmacy technician pay in Knoxville include hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, followed by retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. Factors influencing the salary spread include various workplace settings, with hospital sterile compounding generally offering higher wages than retail environments. Additionally, certifications such as the CSPT can lead to wage increases, along with shift differentials and lead roles often impacting compensation. To maximize earning potential, aspiring technicians should consider obtaining relevant certifications and seek positions within hospitals or specialized pharmacies that offer higher starting salaries and career growth opportunities.
More salary data for Knoxville, 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 $38,270 for pharmacy techniciansin the Knoxville 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