Certified Nursing Assistant salary in Tennessee
Certified Nursing Assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $17.67 per hour, about $36,750 a year, 7% below the U.S. median of $19.01. The middle half earn between $16.17 and $18.83 per hour. The highest median among Tennessee metro areas is in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, at $18.64 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $17.67median pay per hour
- $36,750median pay per year
- 23,030employed in Tennessee
- #41of 50 states by median pay
Certified Nursing Assistant pay in Tennessee: percentiles
| Level | Tennessee per hour | Tennessee per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $14.46 | $30,080 | $15.09 |
| Lower quartile | $16.17 | $33,630 | $17.44 |
| Median | $17.67 | $36,750 | $19.01 |
| Upper quartile | $18.83 | $39,170 | $22.15 |
| Top 10% | $21.40 | $44,510 | $24.11 |
Certified Nursing Assistant pay by metro area in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Tennessee median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $18.64 | $38,780 | 6,630 | 5% above | $19.35 |
| Johnson City, TN | $17.85 | $37,130 | 1,170 | 1% above | $20.30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $17.75 | $36,920 | 3,100 | in line with | $19.17 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $17.71 | $36,830 | 4,000 | in line with | $19.21 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $17.61 | $36,640 | 1,280 | in line with | $20.37 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $17.59 | $36,580 | 670 | in line with | $19.34 |
| Morristown, TN | $17.39 | $36,170 | 280 | 2% below | $20.14 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $17.33 | $36,050 | 1,930 | 2% below | $18.95 |
| Cleveland, TN | $17.11 | $35,580 | 310 | 3% below | $19.43 |
| Jackson, TN | $16.79 | $34,930 | 940 | 5% below | $19.63 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Certified Nursing Assistant pay in states next to Tennessee
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $15.61 | $32,470 | 12% below Tennessee |
| Arkansas | $15.38 | $31,990 | 13% below Tennessee |
| Georgia | $17.58 | $36,570 | 1% below Tennessee |
| Kentucky | $17.95 | $37,330 | 2% above Tennessee |
| Mississippi | $14.64 | $30,460 | 17% below Tennessee |
| Missouri | $17.87 | $37,170 | 1% above Tennessee |
| North Carolina | $18.11 | $37,670 | 2% above Tennessee |
| Virginia | $18.65 | $38,790 | 6% above Tennessee |
What employers are posting in Tennessee
- 5roles with published pay
- $21.09median pay per hour
- $18–$24typical published range
- 4employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Acadia Healthcare | 2 | $21.09 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 1 | $26.01 |
| Amedisys | 1 | $16.75 |
| Select Medical | 1 | $19.41 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 5 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Tennessee · Certified Nursing Assistant salary nationwide · Tennessee state guide
Common questions
How much does a certified nursing assistant make in Tennessee?
The median is $17.67 per hour, about $36,750 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $14.46 and the top 10% earn over $21.40 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Tennessee city pays certified nursing assistants the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN has the highest median at $18.64 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Tennessee rank for certified nursing assistant pay?
Tennessee ranks 41st of 50 states by median certified nursing assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
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- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
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Your CNA pay reportTennessee · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Acadia HealthcareMurfreesboro, TN · 2 postings$21.09/ hr$18–$24
- West Tennessee HealthcareJackson, TN · 1 wage offer$15.00/ hr$15–$15
- National Healthcare CorporationKnoxville, TN · 1 wage offer$14.53/ hr$15–$15
- National Healthcare CorporationTullahoma, TN · 1 wage offer$14.53/ hr$15–$15
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
5 CNA postings with published pay in Tennessee, 5 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 5 CNA roles
- Certified Nursing Assistant- (Multiple Shifts Available!)Permanent$18.00–$24.19/ hour
- Physical Rehab Certified Nursing Assistant (Multiple Shifts Available!)Permanent$18.00–$24.19/ hour
+ 3 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.