Registered Nurse salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Registered Nurses in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $81,500 a year ($39.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,310 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is about the same as 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 $87,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,280 | $31.38 |
| 25th percentile | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| Median | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| 75th percentile | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,310 | $53.99 |
| Average (mean) | $87,370 | $42.01 |
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 | $6,791.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,395.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,134.62 |
| Weekly | $1,567.31 |
| Hourly | $39.18 |
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 |
| Jackson, MS | $82,630 | 8,700 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $81,070 | 11,550 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $80,610 | 1,760 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $79,870 | 2,180 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $79,770 | 6,460 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,450 | 1,670 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $78,960 | 3,740 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $78,940 | 1,990 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $78,590 | 1,160 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $77,910 | 4,870 |
| Johnson City, TN | $77,660 | 2,740 |
| Knoxville, TN | $77,240 | 9,500 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $76,730 | 2,660 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $76,270 | 2,190 |
| 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,600 | $59.91 |
| Pharmacist | $134,220 | $64.53 |
| Physicians, All Other | $388,960 | $187.00 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $256,240 | $123.19 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $298,620 | $143.57 |
| Veterinarian | $125,130 | $60.16 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,900 | $58.61 |
| Dentists, General | $238,040 | $114.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,310 | $34.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $81,500 a year, or $39.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $112,310 a year. The top 25% earn $95,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,280 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $78,900 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 13,760 registered nurses are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.