How much does a registered nurse make in Tennessee?
$81,500a year
Median yearly pay for registered nurses in Tennessee. That is $39.18 an hour or $6,792 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.18
- Vs. national median
- -16%
- Rank among states
- 41 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 72,200
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $63,970Median: $81,500Highest 10%: $104,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,970 | $30.75 | |
| 25th | $75,460 | $36.28 | |
| Median | $81,500 | $39.18 | |
| 75th | $95,250 | $45.79 | |
| 90th | $104,900 | $50.44 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Nashville, TN | $84,040 |
| Memphis, TN | $81,500 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $79,770 |
| Clarksville, TN | $79,450 |
| Johnson City, TN | $77,660 |
| Knoxville, TN | $77,240 |
| Kingsport, TN | $76,730 |
| Morristown, TN | $75,680 |
| Jackson, TN | $75,610 |
| Cleveland, TN | $72,800 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for registered nurses.
| 38. Ohio | $82,510 |
| 39. South Carolina | $82,360 |
| 40. Missouri | $81,780 |
| 41. Tennessee | $81,500 |
| 42. Kentucky | $81,040 |
| 43. North Dakota | $80,730 |
| 44. Louisiana | $80,230 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $39.18 ($81,500 a year).
Do registered nurses make more in Tennessee than the national average?
No: $81,500 against $97,550 nationally, 16% less.
Where does Tennessee rank for registered nurse pay?
Tennessee ranks 41 of 51 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays registered nurses the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $84,040 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.