Nursing Assistant salary in Tennessee
Nursing Assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $37,990 a year ($18.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 27,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,660 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $42,260. Tennessee ranks 40th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 8.2 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,110 | $14.96 |
| 25th percentile | $35,560 | $17.09 |
| Median | $37,990 | $18.27 |
| 75th percentile | $40,880 | $19.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Average (mean) | $38,230 | $18.38 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,165.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,582.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,461.15 |
| Weekly | $730.58 |
| Hourly | $18.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $39,510 | 7,420 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $38,790 | 2,420 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,010 | 4,930 |
| Knoxville, TN | $38,000 | 3,860 |
| Morristown, TN | $37,620 | 350 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $37,550 | 1,400 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $37,320 | 620 |
| Johnson City, TN | $37,310 | 1,390 |
| Cleveland, TN | $37,130 | 440 |
| Jackson, TN | $36,900 | 1,080 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| Orderly | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,570 | $19.02 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $30,320 | $14.58 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Tennessee?
The median salary for nursing assistants in Tennessee is $37,990 a year, or $18.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in Tennessee earn at least $44,660 a year. The top 25% earn $40,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,110 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $35,560 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Tennessee?
About 27,040 nursing assistants are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.