Registered Nurse salary in Tennessee
Registered Nurses in Tennessee earn a median of $38.00 per hour, about $79,030 a year, 16% below the U.S. median of $45.00. The middle half earn between $32.27 and $42.49 per hour. The highest median among Tennessee metro areas is in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, at $39.02 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $38.00median pay per hour
- $79,030median pay per year
- 67,990registered nurses employed in Tennessee
- #42of 50 states by median pay
Registered Nurse pay in Tennessee: percentiles
| Level | Tennessee per hour | Tennessee per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $28.63 | $59,550 | $31.75 |
| Lower quartile | $32.27 | $67,120 | $37.79 |
| Median | $38.00 | $79,030 | $45.00 |
| Upper quartile | $42.49 | $88,380 | $51.90 |
| Top 10% | $49.06 | $102,040 | $65.06 |
Registered Nurse 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 | $39.02 | $81,170 | 24,460 | 3% above | $40.50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38.10 | $79,250 | 13,570 | in line with | $41.33 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $37.47 | $77,930 | 1,610 | 1% below | $41.20 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36.96 | $76,870 | 5,940 | 3% below | $40.41 |
| Morristown, TN | $36.84 | $76,640 | 680 | 3% below | $42.66 |
| Cleveland, TN | $36.65 | $76,230 | 560 | 4% below | $41.61 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $35.91 | $74,680 | 2,220 | 6% below | $41.54 |
| Johnson City, TN | $35.26 | $73,340 | 2,550 | 7% below | $40.10 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35.25 | $73,320 | 7,970 | 7% below | $38.08 |
| Jackson, TN | $34.44 | $71,640 | 1,950 | 9% below | $40.27 |
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).
Registered Nurse pay in states next to Tennessee
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34.16 | $71,040 | 10% below Tennessee |
| Arkansas | $37.08 | $77,130 | 2% below Tennessee |
| Georgia | $41.61 | $86,560 | 9% above Tennessee |
| Kentucky | $38.42 | $79,910 | 1% above Tennessee |
| Mississippi | $35.80 | $74,470 | 6% below Tennessee |
| Missouri | $38.35 | $79,770 | 1% above Tennessee |
| North Carolina | $39.36 | $81,860 | 4% above Tennessee |
| Virginia | $42.70 | $88,820 | 12% above Tennessee |
What employers are posting in Tennessee
- 46roles with published pay
- $40.77median pay per hour
- $33–$50typical published range
- 7employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| CommonSpirit Health | 26 | $41.18 |
| Amedisys | 11 | $37.50 |
| Acadia Healthcare | 3 | $40.54 |
| Select Medical | 3 | $46.94 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 1 | $46.31 |
| AccentCare | 1 | $39.42 |
| BrightSpring Health Services | 1 | $44.50 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 46 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Registered Nurse jobs in Tennessee · Registered Nurse salary nationwide · Tennessee state guide · Tennessee licensing guide
Common questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Tennessee?
The median is $38.00 per hour, about $79,030 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $28.63 and the top 10% earn over $49.06 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Tennessee city pays registered nurses the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN has the highest median at $39.02 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Tennessee rank for registered nurse pay?
Tennessee ranks 42nd of 50 states by median registered nurse 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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Your RN pay reportTennessee · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Select MedicalNashville, TN · 3 postings$46.94/ hr$40–$54
- Methodist Le Bonheur HealthcareMemphis, TN · 2 wage offers$41.69/ hr$36–$46
- CommonSpirit HealthCHATTANOOGA, TN · 26 postings$41.18/ hr$25–$55
- Acadia HealthcareNashville, TN · 3 postings$40.54/ hr$34–$47
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
46 RN postings with published pay in Tennessee, 40 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 46 RN roles
- Registered Nurse-Emergency Department (ED)Permanent$67k–$126k/ year
- Interventional Cardiology RNPermanent$33.39–$47.92/ hour
+ 44 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.