Registered Nurse Salary in Tennessee
Registered Nurse pay in Tennessee, explained
Registered nurses in Tennessee earn a median of $81,500 per year ($39.18 per hour), which is 16% below the national median of $97,550. Entry-level workers earn around $63,970, while the most experienced registered nurses reach about $104,920. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Tennessee.
Is $81,500 good pay in Tennessee?
Adjusted for Tennessee's cost of living (which runs 92% of the U.S. average), that $81,500 is worth about $88,712 in national buying power — ranking Tennessee #44 for real pay (vs #41 on the sticker number).
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Tennessee
Registered Nurse pay in neighboring states
| State | Median / yr | Real pay | vs TN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (here) | $81,500 | $88,712 | — |
| Virginia | $93,600 | $92,578 | −$12,100 |
| Georgia | $93,550 | $97,151 | −$12,050 |
| North Carolina | $84,350 | $89,424 | −$2,850 |
| Missouri | $81,780 | $90,049 | −$280 |
| Kentucky | $81,040 | $89,886 | +$460 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 | $90,801 | +$2,560 |
| Mississippi | $77,090 | $88,657 | +$4,410 |
| Alabama | $77,080 | $86,779 | +$4,420 |
Registered Nurse in Tennessee: FAQ
How much do registered nurses make in Tennessee?
Registered nurses in Tennessee earn a median of $81,500 per year ($39.18 per hour), compared with $97,550 nationally.
Does Tennessee pay registered nurses well?
At $81,500, Tennessee pays 16% below the national median for registered nurses. An estimated 72,200 work in the state.