New registered nurses in Tennessee typically earn around $63,970 per year, which represents the 10th percentile of the statewide pay distribution. When building an offer for an entry-level hire, anchoring near this figure is reasonable, but candidates with clinical rotations or specialty training may expect compensation closer to the 25th percentile of $75,460.
Registered nurse salary in Tennessee (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in Tennessee is $85,390 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $81,500 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Tennessee employs 72,200 registered nurses, and the $3,890 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in Tennessee typically earn around $63,970, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $104,920 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in Tennessee, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $81,500 |
Average Annual Salary | $85,390 |
vs. National Average | 15.8% below the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 72,200 employed registered nurses across Tennessee.
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Registered nurse salary percentiles in Tennessee
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $63,970 |
25th Percentile | $75,460 |
75th Percentile | $95,250 |
90th Percentile | $104,920 |
Employers setting offers for registered nurses in Tennessee should expect a wide range depending on experience level, with entry-level candidates clustering near $63,970 and experienced specialists reaching $104,920 or beyond. Budgeting toward the midpoint of this range is a reasonable anchor for a mid-career hire, but roles requiring specialized clinical skills will likely require offers closer to the upper end.
Registered nurse salary by city in Tennessee
City | Average Annual Salary |
Nashville | $92,350 |
Memphis | $87,370 |
Chattanooga | $85,220 |
Clarksville | $82,520 |
Knoxville | $78,410 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to offer a registered nurse in Tennessee, so employers hiring across multiple markets should build city-specific pay bands rather than relying on a single statewide figure. Nashville commands the highest average at $92,350, while Knoxville sits at $78,410, a difference of nearly $14,000 that will directly affect your offer competitiveness in each market.
How Tennessee compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Tennessee | $85,390 | $81,500 |
Georgia | $95,080 | $93,550 |
Virginia | $93,850 | $93,600 |
North Carolina | $90,470 | $84,350 |
Kentucky | $86,140 | $81,040 |
Alabama | $77,020 | $77,080 |
Tennessee is a cost-effective market for registered nurse hiring relative to most of its neighboring states, which gives employers here a real budgetary advantage when competing for talent. Georgia and Virginia both average above $93,000, and even North Carolina comes in at $90,470, compared to Tennessee's mean of $85,390. Alabama is the only nearby state where compensation runs lower, averaging $77,020.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in Tennessee
How much does a new RN make in TN?
What is the average registered nurse salary in Tennessee?
The average registered nurse salary in Tennessee is $85,390 per year. That figure sits 15.8% below the national mean of $101,420, so employers recruiting nurses who have worked in higher-paying states should be prepared to address that gap in their offer conversations.
What do the top-earning registered nurses make in Tennessee?
Registered nurses at the 90th percentile in Tennessee earn $104,920 per year. Senior specialists with advanced certifications or leadership responsibilities typically reach or exceed this level, so employers competing for that tier of talent should budget accordingly and consider total compensation beyond base salary.
How does Tennessee compare to other states for registered nurse salary?
Tennessee's average registered nurse salary of $85,390 falls below most neighboring states, with Georgia at $95,080, Virginia at $93,850, and North Carolina at $90,470 all paying more on average. Kentucky is close at $86,140, and Alabama is lower at $77,020. Employers in Tennessee can use this positioning as a cost advantage when recruiting locally, but should be aware of the gap when competing for candidates who have offers from Georgia or Virginia.
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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