Registered Nurse salary in Tennessee
Registered nurses in Tennessee earn a median $81,500 a year, 16% below the national median of $97,550. That ranks #41 of 51 states. After taxes, a single filer keeps about $66,165.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 29-1141. Taxes for tax year 2026.
| Yearly | Monthly | Every 2 weeks | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $81,500 | $6,792 | $3,135 | $39.18 |
| Average pay | $85,390 | $7,116 | $3,284 | $41.05 |
| Take-home (median) | $66,165 | $5,514 | $2,545 | $31.81 |
Where the money goes
| Item | Per year |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $9,100 |
| Social Security and Medicare | $6,235 |
| Tennessee income tax | $0 |
| Take-home | $66,165 |
Tennessee's prices are 8% below the U.S. average, so the median take-home buys what $72,021 buys in an average-priced state. The Tennessee minimum wage is $7.25; the median registered nurse earns 5.4 times that.
Registered Nurse pay in Tennessee vs. neighboring states
| State | Median salary | Take-home | Buying power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $81,500 | $66,165 | $72,021 |
| Alabama | $77,080 | $59,467 | $66,950 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 | $61,931 | $71,237 |
| Georgia | $93,550 | $70,723 | $73,445 |
| Kentucky | $81,040 | $63,123 | $70,013 |
| Mississippi | $77,090 | $60,711 | $69,821 |
| Missouri | $81,780 | $63,456 | $69,872 |
| North Carolina | $84,350 | $65,313 | $69,242 |
| Virginia | $93,600 | $70,110 | $69,344 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much do registered nurses make in Tennessee?
- The median salary is $81,500 a year ($39.18 an hour), and the average is $85,390, per BLS data for May 2025.
- How much do registered nurses take home in Tennessee?
- About $66,165 a year after federal taxes, or $2,545 every two weeks, for a single filer at the median salary.
- Do registered nurses earn more in Tennessee than the national average?
- Tennessee ranks #41 of 51 for median pay, 16% below the U.S. median of $97,550. Adjusted for prices and taxes it ranks #28.