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

Registered Nurse Salary in Nashville: $86K Median

Registered Nurses in Nashville, TN earn between $64K and $133K per year.

That's +0% above the US national median of $86,070 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Nashville, TN is $86,070 per year — +0% above the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $63,720 (entry, 25th percentile) to $132,680 (90th percentile). Registered Nurses in Nashville earned approximately $13,041 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$86,070
+560.0% YoY · $7,173/mo
Entry
$65,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$105,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$132,680
Senior/lead
Registered Nurse Salary — Nashville vs Nearby
Nashville
$86K
Memphis
$76K
+14% vs Nashville
Fresno
$82K
+5% vs Nashville
Colorado Springs
$86K
+0% vs Nashville

Free ATS scan · Nashville employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Registered Nurses in Nashville

Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient assessment and care planning
  • Medication administration
  • Wound care and clinical procedures
  • Patient and family education
  • Care coordination with physicians

Education & Certifications

Typical path: BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN

In-demand certifications

NCLEX-RNBLS/ACLSCCRN (critical care)CNOR (perioperative)Compact Nursing License

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 Registered Nurses

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

HCA Healthcare
Kaiser Permanente
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
CommonSpirit Health
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 Registered Nurse listings.

TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses.

Registered Nurse Salary Breakdown — Nashville

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$63,720$86,070$132,680
Monthly$5,310$7,173$11,057
Weekly$1,225$1,655$2,552
Hourly$31$41$64

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($86,070) adjusted for Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in Nashville

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$68,848.245
Per month$5,737
Biweekly paycheck$2,648
Effective tax rate20.0%

Tax Breakdown on $86,070

Gross salary$86,070
Federal income tax−$10,637.4
Tennessee state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,584.355
Take-home (net)$68,848.245

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.

Registered Nurse Salary by Experience — Nashville

Career-stage progression for Registered Nurses in Nashville.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$59,800
2–3 yr$65,000
4–6 yr$85,000
7–10 yr$105,000
11–15 yr$123,900
15+ yr$118,840

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:$13,041
2026 median:$86,070
Change:+$73,029

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth and Epic EHR.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$81,971
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Nashville

Walk-away anchor: $78,245 (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 $105K–$133K for experienced roles, citing Nashville market data and your specific Telehealth/Epic EHR expertise.

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Nashville

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Nashville, TN?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Nashville is $86,070 per year as of April 2026 — $7,173/month, $1,655/week, or about $41/hour. Salaries range from $63,720 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $132,680 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×).
Is $86,070 a good Registered Nurse salary in Nashville?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Nashville's cost-of-living index is 105 (vs 100 nationally), giving $86,070 a real purchasing power of approximately $81,971 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 $86,070 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 $86,070 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $86,070 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 $86,070 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $86,070 enough for a couple in Nashville?
A couple (one earner) in Nashville typically needs ~$75,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $86,070 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $86,070 each ($172,140 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $86,070 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 $86,070 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Nashville. Childcare costs in Nashville typically run $16K-$29K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Nashville?
On a $86,070 Registered Nurse salary in Nashville, TN, you take home approximately $68,848.245 per year ($5,737/month, $2,648 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,637.4, state $0, FICA $6,584.355. Effective tax rate: 20.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Registered Nurses in Nashville earn compared to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Nashville earn approximately 0% more than the US national median for this role ($86,070 nationally vs $86,070 in Nashville). However, Nashville's cost-of-living index of 105 means real purchasing power is approximately $81,971 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Registered Nurse earn in Nashville?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Nashville typically start at around $65,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Registered Nurses earn $105,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $132,680+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Nashville increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Nashville grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $13,041 in 2025 to $86,070 in 2026 (+$73,029). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Nashville?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. 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 Registered Nurses in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Registered Nurses are: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. 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 Registered Nurses in Nashville?
Top employers hiring Registered Nurses in or near Nashville include: HCA Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, CommonSpirit Health, 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 Registered Nurse 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 Registered Nurse salary in Nashville?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., NCLEX-RN or BLS/ACLS). (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 Registered Nurse in Nashville?
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN 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

Registered Nurse salary figures for Nashville are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($86,070) 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.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Nashville

Nurse Practitioner →Pharmacist →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Physician →Dentist →

Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$86KPhiladelphia, PA$90KFort Worth, TX$88KColumbus, OH$83KCharlotte, NC$88KMemphis, TN$76KMesa, AZ$84KColorado Springs, CO$86K

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