verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Salary in Tennessee

Median Annual in Tennessee
$37,990/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$18.27/hr
▼ 10% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Tennessee

groups Employed in TN
27,040
public U.S. Median
$42,260
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$41,352 #34 of 51

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in Tennessee, explained

Certified nursing assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $37,990 per year ($18.27 per hour), which is 10% below the national median of $42,260. Entry-level workers earn around $31,110, while the most experienced certified nursing assistants reach about $44,660. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Tennessee.

Is $37,990 good pay in Tennessee?

Adjusted for Tennessee's cost of living (which runs 92% of the U.S. average), that $37,990 is worth about $41,352 in national buying power — ranking Tennessee #34 for real pay (vs #40 on the sticker number).

See the full Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by experience in Tennessee

Entry level (10th pct)
$31,110
$14.96/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$37,990
$18.27/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$44,660
$21.47/hr

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs TN
Tennessee (here) $37,990 $41,352
Virginia $43,200 $42,728 −$5,210
North Carolina $38,460 $40,773 −$470
Kentucky $38,370 $42,558 −$380
Georgia $37,680 $39,131 +$310
Missouri $37,680 $41,490 +$310
Arkansas $34,430 $39,603 +$3,560
Alabama $34,140 $38,436 +$3,850
Mississippi $31,520 $36,249 +$6,470

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Tennessee: FAQ

How much do certified nursing assistants make in Tennessee?

Certified nursing assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $37,990 per year ($18.27 per hour), compared with $42,260 nationally.

Does Tennessee pay certified nursing assistants well?

At $37,990, Tennessee pays 10% below the national median for certified nursing assistants. An estimated 27,040 work in the state.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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