Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $64.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Knoxville, TN runs $64.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,884 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,927 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, TN, the 2026 median pharmacist hourly pay is projected to be $64.85, which is approximately 6% lower than the national median hourly rate of $68.99. This rate holds particular significance for those working part-time, such as pharmacists dedicating three days a week at retail counters, hospital pharmacies, or specialty pharmacies. With an hourly range that spans from $41.69 for entry-level positions to up to $77.94 for seasoned professionals, this income provides a stable financial foundation, especially when considering the benefits offered by various employers. The data reflects the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 data, projected for the Knoxville market in 2026.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.69 | $333.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.22 | $481.78 |
| Median (P50) | $64.85 | $518.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.10 | $568.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.94 | $623.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $64.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.85/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $134,878 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,814. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,593.81 | $11,240 | $134,878 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,556.29 | $6,744 | $80,927 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,037.53 | $4,496 | $53,951 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Knoxville) | $64.85 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $134,884 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.00% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.30% below the Tennessee state average of $135,290.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.85/hr = $80,927/year (purchasing power: $87,423).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,878/year (purchasing power: $145,706).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Knoxville grew 10.0% from $57.89/hr (2019) to $63.68/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.03/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacist in Knoxville
For those considering part-time work at 24 hours a week, part-time pharmacists can expect to land an annual income that is significantly less than full-time colleagues, underscoring the trade-offs involved. Per diem opportunities are especially lucrative, as many pharmacists in Knoxville may bill anywhere from $55 to $95 per hour depending on the role, such as retail or hospital settings, which typically pay more for clinical expertise. In Knoxville, the employment market for pharmacists is diverse, offering roles across major retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, as well as specialist positions at institutions like 340B safety-net hospitals. Pharmacists may often face a trade-off between higher hourly pay and the benefits that come with full-time positions. Negotiation is key; during discussions, it's advisable to emphasize skills gained in PGY-1 residencies or specific certifications through organizations like BPS, which can enhance one's appeal in the job market.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists in Knoxville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov