Registered Nurse salary in Tennessee
Registered Nurses in Tennessee earn a median of $81,500 a year ($39.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 72,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,920 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $97,550. Tennessee ranks 41st of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 22 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| 25th percentile | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Median | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| 75th percentile | $95,250 | $45.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Average (mean) | $85,390 | $41.05 |
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 cities in Tennessee
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $226,830 | $109.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Veterinarian | $124,350 | $59.78 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $232,220 | $111.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for registered nurses in Tennessee is $81,500 a year, or $39.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Tennessee earn at least $104,920 a year. The top 25% earn $95,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,970 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $75,460 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Tennessee?
About 72,200 registered nurses are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.