How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Tennessee
Tennessee employs approximately 11,870 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $41,920 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 49,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a pharmacy technician in Tennessee, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Tennessee
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Tennessee? Tennessee requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician, PHARMACIST. The licensing authority is the Department of Health - Division of Regulatory Boards. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 2 years of experience.
Do I need a license in Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Tennessee is $41,920 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,550 and experienced professionals can earn $55,430 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Health - Division of Regulatory Boards
- Median wage (Tennessee): $41,920 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Tennessee
The Department of Health - Division of Regulatory Boards oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Tennessee.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | PHARMACY TECHNICAN A pharmacy technician assists a pharmacist with the preparation of prescription medications for customers. |
| PHARMACIST | PHARMACIST A pharmacist prepares, compounds, and dispenses drugs and devices, whether dispensed on the prescription of a medical practitioner or legally dispensed or sold directly to the ultim… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Felony convictions prohibited
- Exam: No exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | 3,340 | $45,950 | $46,770 | $36,780 | $61,150 |
| Memphis | 2,090 | $45,260 | $45,070 | $36,710 | $57,230 |
| Knoxville | 1,500 | $38,270 | $41,450 | $35,180 | $49,810 |
| Chattanooga | 1,020 | $40,720 | $42,930 | $34,980 | $51,040 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 510 | $37,760 | $40,710 | $31,760 | $49,260 |
| Johnson City | 460 | $38,480 | $41,650 | $30,870 | $56,200 |
| Clarksville | 370 | $42,240 | $43,050 | $34,950 | $55,430 |
| Jackson | 310 | $39,090 | $41,060 | $33,010 | $51,130 |
| Morristown | 240 | $36,660 | $39,510 | $30,250 | $48,330 |
| Cleveland | 200 | $36,680 | $39,370 | $31,740 | $49,410 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Pharmacy technicians in Tennessee
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Tennessee according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin | 3,340 | $45,950 |
| Memphis | 2,090 | $45,260 |
| Knoxville | 1,500 | $38,270 |
| Chattanooga | 1,020 | $40,720 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 510 | $37,760 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 11,870 pharmacy technicians 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a pharmacy technician in Tennessee with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health - Division of Regulatory Boards for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Tennessee.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Tennessee is $41,920, which is $1,540 below the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |