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2026 Salary Data — Nashville, TN
Updated April 28, 2026

Physician Salary in Nashville: $229K Median

Physicians in Nashville, TN earn between $175K and $400K per year.

That's +0% above the US national median of $229,300 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in Nashville, TN is $229,300 per year — +0% above the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $175,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $400,000 (90th percentile). Physicians in Nashville earned approximately $34,742 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$229,300
+560.0% YoY · $19,108/mo
Entry
$200,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$350,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$400,000
Senior/lead

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About Physicians in Nashville

Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. Specialties range widely in compensation.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient diagnosis and treatment
  • Order tests and prescriptions
  • Document patient records
  • Coordinate care
  • Lead medical teams

Education & Certifications

Typical path: MD/DO + residency (3-7 years)

In-demand certifications

MD or DOBoard certificationState medical licenseDEA registration

Nashville Job Market

Healthcare capital with booming music, tech, and tourism industries.

Population
689K
Cost of Living
105
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.4%
Median Home
$460K

Top Industries in Nashville

HealthcareMusic/EntertainmentTechFinanceTourism

Top Employers Hiring Physicians

Major employers active in Nashville or hiring remotely from this metro.

Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
Kaiser Permanente
Johns Hopkins
HCA Healthcare
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Physician listings.

TelemedicineAI-assisted diagnosisConcierge medicineSpecialty practiceEHR efficiency

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

MDboard certifiedpatient careEHR (Epic)clinical researchspecialtyresidency
Career Outlook
+4% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+.

Physician Salary Breakdown — Nashville

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$175,000$229,300$400,000
Monthly$14,583$19,108$33,333
Weekly$3,365$4,410$7,692
Hourly$84$110$192

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($229,300) adjusted for Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physician Take-Home Pay in Nashville

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$169,289.95
Per month$14,107
Biweekly paycheck$6,511
Effective tax rate26.2%

Tax Breakdown on $229,300

Gross salary$229,300
Federal income tax$45,767
Tennessee state tax$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)$14,243.05
Take-home (net)$169,289.95

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Physician Salary by Experience — Nashville

Career-stage progression for Physicians in Nashville.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$184,000
2–3 yr$200,000
4–6 yr$275,000
7–10 yr$350,000
11–15 yr$413,000
15+ yr$375,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Nashville's 1.00× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$34,742
2026 median:$229,300
Change:+$194,558

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$218,381
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in Nashville

Walk-away anchor: $208,455 (offers below this are below market for Nashville).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $350K$400K for experienced roles, citing Nashville market data and your specific Telemedicine/AI-assisted diagnosis expertise.

Physician Salary FAQ — Nashville

What is the average Physician salary in Nashville, TN?
The average Physician salary in Nashville is $229,300 per year as of April 2026 — $19,108/month, $4,410/week, or about $110/hour. Salaries range from $175,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $400,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×).
Is $229,300 a good Physician salary in Nashville?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Nashville's cost-of-living index is 105 (vs 100 nationally), giving $229,300 a real purchasing power of approximately $218,381 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $229,300 in Nashville?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Nashville specifically (median home price $460,000), a $229,300 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $229,300 enough for a single person in Nashville?
A single adult in Nashville typically needs ~$47,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $229,300 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $229,300 enough for a couple in Nashville?
A couple (one earner) in Nashville typically needs ~$75,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $229,300 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $229,300 each ($458,600 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $229,300 enough for a family of 4 in Nashville?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Nashville typically needs ~$115,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $229,300 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Physician income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Nashville typically run $16K-$29K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physician in Nashville?
On a $229,300 Physician salary in Nashville, TN, you take home approximately $169,289.95 per year ($14,107/month, $6,511 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $45,767, state $0, FICA $14,243.05. Effective tax rate: 26.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physicians in Nashville earn compared to the US average?
Physicians in Nashville earn approximately 0% more than the US national median for this role ($229,300 nationally vs $229,300 in Nashville). However, Nashville's cost-of-living index of 105 means real purchasing power is approximately $218,381 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physician earn in Nashville?
Entry-level Physicians in Nashville typically start at around $200,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physicians earn $350,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $400,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physician salaries in Nashville increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in Nashville grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $34,742 in 2025 to $229,300 in 2026 (+$194,558). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis demand.
What's the job outlook for Physicians in Nashville?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. Nashville's top industries include Healthcare, Music/Entertainment, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.4% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Physicians in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Physicians are: Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine, Specialty practice, EHR efficiency. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Nashville.
Who are the top employers hiring Physicians in Nashville?
Top employers hiring Physicians in or near Nashville include: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Johns Hopkins, HCA Healthcare, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Physician salary in Nashville?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Physician salary in Nashville?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., MD or DO or Board certification). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Physician in Nashville?
MD/DO + residency (3-7 years) is the typical path. However, Nashville's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Physician salary figures for Nashville are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($229,300) by Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.00× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

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