2026 Salary — Tennessee
Updated April 29, 2026
Pharmacist Salary in Tennessee: $131K Median
Pharmacists in Tennessee earn between $100K and $157K per year.
That's -5% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Pharmacist salary in Tennessee is $130,606 per year — -5% below the US national median of $137,480. Salaries range from $99,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $156,750 (90th percentile). Tennessee's cost-of-living index is 92. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Median
$130,606
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$104,500
Experienced
$147,250
Top 10%
$156,750
About Pharmacists in Tennessee
Pharmacists dispense medications, counsel patients, and ensure safe medication use. Roles span retail, hospital, clinical, and industry.
Hot 2026 Skills
Clinical pharmacySpecialty drugsMTMTelepharmacyPharmGenomics
ATS Keywords
PharmDprescription verificationpatient counselingclinical pharmacymedication therapy managementEpic
How to Negotiate Your Pharmacist Salary in Tennessee
Walk-away anchor: $118,733.
Leverage Points
- Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
- Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
- Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
- Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage
Negotiate Beyond Base
Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend
Pharmacist Salary FAQ — Tennessee
What is the average Pharmacist salary in Tennessee?
The average Pharmacist salary in Tennessee is $130,606 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $99,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $156,750 (90th percentile). Tennessee has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.
How does Pharmacist pay in Tennessee compare to the US average?
Pharmacists in Tennessee earn approximately 5% less than the US national median ($137,480 nationally vs $130,606 in Tennessee). Tennessee's cost-of-living index of 92 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Pharmacist salaries in Tennessee increase in 2026?
Yes — Pharmacist salaries in Tennessee grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $19,789 in 2025 to $130,606 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Clinical pharmacy and Specialty drugs demand.
Which Tennessee cities pay Pharmacists the most?
Top-paying Tennessee metros for Pharmacists: Nashville ($137K), Memphis ($121K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Pharmacists in Tennessee?
Pharmacist employment relatively stable. Clinical pharmacist roles growing fastest as retail consolidates. Tennessee's top industries include Healthcare, Manufacturing (Auto, EV), Logistics (FedEx), and the state's unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Tennessee have state income tax?
No, Tennessee has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $130,606, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).
What skills are most in demand for Pharmacists in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Clinical pharmacy, Specialty drugs, MTM, Telepharmacy, PharmGenomics. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Tennessee employers.
How can I increase my Pharmacist salary in Tennessee?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Beyond base, negotiate: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%). Walk-away anchor for Tennessee: $118,733.
Methodology
Tennessee Pharmacist salary is the BLS national median ($137,480) adjusted by Tennessee's state multiplier (0.95×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Pharmacist Salary in Other States
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