Pharmacist Salary

Memphis vs Murfreesboro: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Memphis, TN and Murfreesboro, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Memphis, TN
$136,676
$65.71/hr
Murfreesboro, TN
$137,625
$66.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMemphis, TNMurfreesboro, TN
Median Salary$136,676$137,625
Hourly Rate$65.71$66.17
Entry Level (P10)$105,364$97,138
25th Percentile$128,805$125,662
75th Percentile$156,054$162,570
Top Earner (P90)$168,895$172,348
Total Employed1,46029
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Memphis ($136,676) and Murfreesboro ($137,625) pharmacist salaries.MemphisMurfreesboroMedian Salary$136,676$137,625Entry Level (P10)$105,364$97,138Top Earner (P90)$168,895$172,348US Median $143,489

Verdict

Murfreesboro, TN offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Memphis.

The salary gap between Memphis and Murfreesboro is $949 (0.69%). Murfreesboro's median is -4.09% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Memphis spans $63,531,Murfreesboro spans $75,210. Murfreesboro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Memphis
P10 (Entry)$105,364
P25$128,805
Median$136,676
P75$156,054
P90 (Top)$168,895
Murfreesboro
P10 (Entry)$97,138
P25$125,662
Median$137,625
P75$162,570
P90 (Top)$172,348

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Murfreesboro ($149,918 effective) pays 1.11% more than Memphis ($148,272 effective).

Memphis
Nominal: $136,676
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $148,272
Murfreesboro
Nominal: $137,625
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $149,918

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Memphis if…

  • Larger job market (1,460 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Murfreesboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,625/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($172,348)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,918)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Memphis grew 4.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.9% growth in Murfreesboro over the same period.

Memphis, TN

+4.6%

$128,270 (2019) → $134,220 (2025)

Murfreesboro, TN

+15.9%

$116,576 (2024) → $135,152 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Memphis or Murfreesboro?

Murfreesboro has a higher median pharmacist salary at $137,625/year, compared to Memphis at $136,676/year — a difference of $949 (0.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Memphis and Murfreesboro?

Memphis pharmacists earn $65.71/hr while Murfreesboro hygienists earn $66.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Memphis to Murfreesboro as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Memphis and Murfreesboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Memphis = $148,272, Murfreesboro = $149,918), job availability (1,460 vs 29 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Memphis vs Murfreesboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $105,364 in Memphis and $97,138 in Murfreesboro. The Memphis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD

Career Analyst

Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Patel, PharmDData verified by Amina Al-Sayed, PharmD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov