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Pharmacy Aides Salary in Tennessee: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Pharmacy Aides salary really buy you in Tennessee?

Tennessee is 8.2% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$30,170
Median annual (2025)
+8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$32,864
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.8)

Tennessee Cost of Living Index

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Pharmacy Aides earning $30,170 in Tennessee has the equivalent purchasing power of $32,864 in an average-cost US state.

TN: 91.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $25,230 $27,483 +$2,253
25th Percentile (P25) $28,600 $31,154 +$2,554
Median (P50) $30,170 $32,864 +$2,694
75th Percentile (P75) $35,360 $38,518 +$3,158
90th Percentile (P90) $39,360 $42,875 +$3,515
Key Insight

A Pharmacy Aides in Tennessee earns $30,170 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $32,864 in an average-cost state. This makes Tennessee one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Tennessee Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.8

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Pharmacy Aides, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.9%

After applying Tennessee's RPP, the $30,170 median salary translates to $32,865 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Pharmacy Aides.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#47 / 48

Tennessee ranks #47 of 48 — bottom quartile for Pharmacy Aides real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Pharmacy Aides (After Cost of Living)

Where does Pharmacy Aides salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Utah
$54,603
RPP 94.5
$51,423
RPP 116.6
3. Arizona
$43,403
RPP 99.9
$42,563
RPP 86.6
5. Hawaii
$41,741
RPP 110.8
$41,514
RPP 91.1
7. Alabama
$41,298
RPP 87.8
8. Montana
$41,129
RPP 90.3
$41,083
RPP 109.8
$41,056
RPP 88.0

Tennessee ranks #47 out of 48 states for Pharmacy Aides after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Pharmacy Aides take-home pay in Tennessee after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Pharmacy Aides in Tennessee after cost of living?

A Pharmacy Aides in Tennessee earns a median salary of $30,170 per year. After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $32,864 — a +8.9% difference.

Is Tennessee expensive to live in?

Tennessee's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Tennessee is 91.8 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Pharmacy Aides in Tennessee: $30,170 x (100 / 91.8) = $32,864. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Pharmacy Aides in Tennessee financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Pharmacy Aides in Tennessee enjoys 8.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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