SSalario

Pharmacy Technician Salary in Memphis, TN — 2026

Pharmacy Technician salary data for Memphis, TN — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

The median Pharmacy Technician salary in Memphis, TN is $32,680 per year ($2,723/month, $16/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 86, which is 14% below the national average.

Entry Level
$25K
$12/hr
Median
$33K
$16/hr
Senior
$43K
$21/hr
Top Earner
$47K
$23/hr

Pharmacy Technician Take-Home Pay in Memphis

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$32,680
Federal Tax-$1,742
State Tax (0.0%)-$0
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$2,500
Annual Take-Home$28,438
Monthly Take-Home$2,370

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$1,000/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio36.7%
Median Home Price$170,000
Cost of Living Index86
City Median Salary$52,000
Pharmacy Technician vs City Median$-19,320

Pharmacy Technician Requirements

Education
High School Diploma + Certificate
Experience
0-1 year
Job Growth
5.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

Medication DispensingInventory ManagementCustomer ServicePrescription ProcessingPharmacy Software

Memphis Job Market Overview

Memphis, Tennessee has a population of 633,104 and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. The top industries are Logistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing. The local job growth rate is 1.0%, and the average commute time is 24 minutes.

Pharmacy Technician Salary in Nearby Tennessee Cities

Salary Percentile Breakdown — Pharmacy Technician in Memphis

Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Pharmacy Technician in Memphis, TN, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly EquivalentCareer Stage
10th (lowest)$24,940$12/hrEntry-level, < 1 yr exp.
25th$28,810$14/hrJunior, 1-3 yrs exp.
50th (median)$32,680$16/hrMid-career, 0-1 year
75th$43,000$21/hrSenior, 5-10 yrs exp.
90th (top)$47,300$23/hrLead/Principal, 10+ yrs

Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Pharmacy Technician compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Memphis's Logistics sector.

5-Year Salary Trajectory

Pharmacy Technician salaries in Memphis have grown approximately 9.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:

5 Years Ago
$29,982
Adjusted for Memphis COL
Today (2026)
$32,680
+9.0% vs 5y ago
Projected 2031
$35,621
If growth continues

Year-over-year, an average Pharmacy Technician can expect a 14.6% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 4 years in Memphis. Negotiation, certifications (CPhT, PTCB Certification), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.

Memphis vs National Average

The national median Pharmacy Technician salary is $38,000. In Memphis, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $32,680 is 14.0% below the national figure. This reflects Memphis's cost of living index of 86 (lower than the national average of 100).

For Pharmacy Technicians, this means: rent typically consumes 42.2% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered rent-burdened), and a median home in Memphis costs about 6.0× annual take-home. Homeownership in Memphis on this salary is challenging — most experts recommend keeping home costs to 3-4× income.

Industry Context: Logistics in Memphis

Memphis's economy is anchored by Logistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing, with 633,104 residents and 4.2% unemployment as of 2026. Pharmacy Technicians working in the Logistics sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 1.0%, and Pharmacy Technician occupations specifically are projected to grow 5.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).

Methodology & Data Sources

How we calculate Pharmacy Technician salaries in Memphis, TN:

  1. Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
  2. Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Memphis index of 86 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
  3. Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
  4. Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), TN state income tax of 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
  5. Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.

Authoritative data sources:

Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Pharmacy Technician salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Logistics vs others in Memphis), specific skill set (Medication Dispensing, Inventory Management, Customer Service), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Pharmacy Technician salary in Memphis, TN?
The median Pharmacy Technician salary in Memphis, TN is $32,680 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 86. Entry-level Pharmacy Technicians earn around $24,940, while senior-level professionals can earn $43,000 or more.
How much does a Pharmacy Technician take home in Memphis after taxes?
A Pharmacy Technician earning the median salary of $32,680 in Memphis, TN takes home approximately $28,438 per year ($2,370/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 13.0%.
Is Memphis a good city for Pharmacy Technicians?
Memphis, TN has a cost of living index of 86 (below national average). Pharmacy Technicians here earn below the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.2% and top industries include Logistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing.
What skills are needed for a Pharmacy Technician in Memphis?
Key skills for Pharmacy Technicians include Medication Dispensing, Inventory Management, Customer Service, Prescription Processing, Pharmacy Software. Typical education requirement is High School Diploma + Certificate. Valuable certifications include CPhT, PTCB Certification, State Registration.
How does Pharmacy Technician salary in Memphis compare to the national average?
The national median Pharmacy Technician salary is $38,000. In Memphis, the adjusted salary is $32,680, which is 14.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

Calculate Your Exact Take-Home Pay

Use our free paycheck calculator to see your after-tax income based on your specific salary, deductions, and filing status.

Calculate Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Pharmacy Technician salary in Memphis, TN?

The median Pharmacy Technician salary in Memphis, TN is $32,680 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 86. Entry-level Pharmacy Technicians earn around $24,940, while senior-level professionals can earn $43,000 or more.

How much does a Pharmacy Technician take home in Memphis after taxes?

A Pharmacy Technician earning the median salary of $32,680 in Memphis, TN takes home approximately $28,438 per year ($2,370/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 13.0%.

Is Memphis a good city for Pharmacy Technicians?

Memphis, TN has a cost of living index of 86 (below national average). Pharmacy Technicians here earn below the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.2% and top industries include Logistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing.

What skills are needed for a Pharmacy Technician in Memphis?

Key skills for Pharmacy Technicians include Medication Dispensing, Inventory Management, Customer Service, Prescription Processing, Pharmacy Software. Typical education requirement is High School Diploma + Certificate. Valuable certifications include CPhT, PTCB Certification, State Registration.

How does Pharmacy Technician salary in Memphis compare to the national average?

The national median Pharmacy Technician salary is $38,000. In Memphis, the adjusted salary is $32,680, which is 14.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.