Pharmacist Salary in Kingsport, TN: $135,709 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Kingsport, TN earns a median $135,709/year (≈ $65.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $156,985 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kingsport, Tennessee, the pharmacist salary is projected to reach a median of $135,709 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position in the local market when compared to the national average of $143,489. This salary range is quite broad, with entry-level pharmacists earning around $107,532 and experienced professionals making as much as $162,154 annually. These figures, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlight the distinct salary divide based on various pharmacist roles. For instance, hospital clinical specialists typically earn more than retail pharmacists, with the latter also showing variances between pharmacy-in-charge (PIC) and staff positions. As the regional market evolves, understanding these dynamics becomes essential for emerging pharmacists seeking to establish their careers in Kingsport.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,532 | $51.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,004 | $60.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,709 | $65.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,635 | $72.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,154 | $77.96 |
Median Salary Position
5.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,622 (2026 est.). At $135,709, the local median is 5.42% below the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be above the median
How Kingsport Pharmacist Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $135,709/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $135,303 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | -5.42% less |
Pharmacists in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $135,709 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.42% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 0.30% above the Tennessee state average of $135,303.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacist earning $135,709 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,985 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,640
2025 BLS Actual
$133,270
2026 Current Est.
$135,709
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,709 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,192 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew -4.6% from $139,640 (2019) to $133,270 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,192 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,448 (-1.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $107,532 – $126,004 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,004 – $135,709 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,709 – $151,635 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,635 – $162,154 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Kingsport
The local employment scene comprises approximately 370 pharmacists, allowing for healthy job competition amid a cost-of-living index of 86.447, which sits below the national average. This disparity means that although pharmacist compensation may appear lower than the national levels, the lower CoL rates potentially enhance purchasing power. Among Kingsport employers, inpatient hospital pharmacies and specialty pharmacies like Accredo offer some of the most lucrative positions, leveraging the current demand for advanced pharmacy services. Factors contributing to earnings variances include board certification stipends, residency training premiums, and specific roles like overnight retail, which can offer shift differentials. With the recent consolidation movements within retail chains, pharmacists who adapt to expanding opportunities in hospitals and specialty settings can expect greater financial rewards, while those in traditional retail may face challenges. Exploring pathways such as obtaining BPS certifications or engaging in managed care positions can provide critical avenues for maximizing pay in this evolving Kingsport market.
More salary data for Kingsport, 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 $133,270 for pharmacistsin the Kingsport 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
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