Registered Nurse salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Registered Nurses in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $79,770 a year ($38.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,930 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $81,500. There are 24 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,150 | $31.32 |
| 25th percentile | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Median | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| 75th percentile | $93,710 | $45.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,930 | $49.49 |
| Average (mean) | $85,220 | $40.97 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $6,647.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,323.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,068.08 |
| Weekly | $1,534.04 |
| Hourly | $38.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $100,490 | 56,460 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $87,760 | 6,880 |
| Savannah, GA | $86,760 | 4,200 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $85,070 | 3,100 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $84,040 | 25,100 |
| Rome, GA | $83,880 | 1,740 |
| Dalton, GA | $83,290 | 1,000 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $82,630 | 1,010 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $82,500 | 2,790 |
| Hinesville, GA | $82,490 | 270 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $82,200 | 2,400 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $81,500 | 13,760 |
| Albany, GA | $80,390 | n/a |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,450 | 1,670 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $78,980 | 1,090 |
| Johnson City, TN | $77,660 | 2,740 |
| Knoxville, TN | $77,240 | 9,500 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $76,730 | 2,660 |
| Morristown, TN | $75,680 | 710 |
| Jackson, TN | $75,610 | 1,930 |
| Valdosta, GA | $74,360 | 1,110 |
| Cleveland, TN | $72,800 | 630 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| Pharmacist | $132,240 | $63.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,120 | $47.65 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,460 | $40.12 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,350 | $35.74 |
| Physicians, All Other | $429,900 | $206.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,960 | $46.14 |
| Dentists, General | $160,620 | $77.22 |
| Veterinarian | $125,790 | $60.48 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,600 | $58.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $264,690 | $127.26 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $291,200 | $140.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $79,770 a year, or $38.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $102,930 a year. The top 25% earn $93,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,150 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $77,690 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 6,460 registered nurses are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.