Pharmacist Salary in Cookeville, TN: $128,555 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Cookeville, TN earns a median $128,555/year (≈ $61.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Cookeville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $140,038 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cookeville, Tennessee, a recent shift in the retail pharmacy market, especially post-2023, has influenced local pay structures for pharmacists significantly. The projected median annual salary is $128,555, with a salary range extending from $94,836 at the 10th percentile to $152,100 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, emphasize how local conditions impact remuneration. While Cookeville's compensation remains about 10.41% lower than the national median for the profession, the area still exhibits job opportunities influenced by the changing healthcare landscape, including growing hospital and specialty pharmacy roles.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,836 | $45.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,941 | $57.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,555 | $61.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,097 | $69.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152,100 | $73.12 |
Median Salary Position
10.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cookeville
In Cookeville, TN, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,264 (2026 est.). At $128,555, the local median is 10.41% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cookeville: You'd be above the median
How Cookeville Pharmacist Pay Compares
Cookeville median: $128,555/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cookeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $135,321 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | -10.41% less |
Pharmacists in Cookeville, TN earn a median of $128,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.41% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $135,321.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cookeville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cookeville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $128,555 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,038 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,759
2025 BLS Actual
$126,245
2026 Current Est.
$128,555
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,759 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,315 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,189 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,934 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,873 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,649 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,245 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,555 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,908 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cookeville metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $114,759 (2019) to $126,245 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,908 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,149 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cookeville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $94,836 – $119,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,941 – $128,555 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,555 – $145,097 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,097 – $152,100 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Cookeville
The job market for pharmacists in Cookeville appears modest, with only seven currently employed in the area. The local cost-of-living index of 91.8 suggests that take-home pay goes further than in many regions, but it remains critical for pharmacists to understand which employers offer the most competitive compensation. Retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens continue to be prominent employers, but the most lucrative opportunities may lie in hospital settings or specialty pharmacies like Accredo. Factors like board certification, experience in clinical settings, and certifications from recognized organizations such as BPS can also elevate earning potential. In this tightening market, establishing a strong professional network and considering advanced education or certifications may yield better long-term pay prospects in Cookeville, TN.
More salary data for Cookeville, 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
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 $126,245 for pharmacistsin the Cookeville metropolitan area. A 1.83% 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
Salary data for Cookeville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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