Registered Nurse salary in Knoxville, TN
Registered Nurses in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $77,240 a year ($37.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,360 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 5% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $81,500. There are 22 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,070 | $27.44 |
| 25th percentile | $71,550 | $34.40 |
| Median | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| 75th percentile | $83,000 | $39.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Average (mean) | $78,410 | $37.70 |
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 | $6,436.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,218.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,970.77 |
| Weekly | $1,485.38 |
| Hourly | $37.13 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $84,040 | 25,100 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $81,500 | 13,760 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $79,770 | 6,460 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,450 | 1,670 |
| Johnson City, TN | $77,660 | 2,740 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $76,730 | 2,660 |
| Morristown, TN | $75,680 | 710 |
| Jackson, TN | $75,610 | 1,930 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,740 | $52.76 |
| Pharmacist | $132,460 | $63.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $276,370 | $132.87 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $460,080 | $221.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| Veterinarian | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| Physician Assistant | $107,980 | $51.91 |
| Dentists, General | $157,900 | $75.92 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,900 | $102.84 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,330 | $31.89 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $77,240 a year, or $37.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $97,360 a year. The top 25% earn $83,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,070 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $71,550 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Knoxville, TN?
About 9,500 registered nurses are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.