Pharmacist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Pharmacist Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Pharmacists in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$85,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$77,273 vs $81,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$71,400 vs $75,261
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $101,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $77,770▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $129,280▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $161,600▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,273 | $81,452▲ | -$4,179 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540 | $93,324▲ | -$14,784 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,400 | $75,261▲ | -$3,861 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 30,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $16,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($77,273 vs $81,452 equivalent). Nashville, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.