2026 Salary — Tennessee
Updated April 29, 2026
Physician Salary in Tennessee: $218K Median
Physicians in Tennessee earn between $166K and $380K per year.
That's -5% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in Tennessee is $217,835 per year — -5% below the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $166,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $380,000 (90th percentile). Tennessee's cost-of-living index is 92. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Median
$217,835
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$190,000
Experienced
$332,500
Top 10%
$380,000
About Physicians in Tennessee
Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. Specialties range widely in compensation.
Hot 2026 Skills
TelemedicineAI-assisted diagnosisConcierge medicineSpecialty practiceEHR efficiency
ATS Keywords
MDboard certifiedpatient careEHR (Epic)clinical researchspecialtyresidency
How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in Tennessee
Walk-away anchor: $198,032.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Physician Salary FAQ — Tennessee
What is the average Physician salary in Tennessee?
The average Physician salary in Tennessee is $217,835 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $166,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $380,000 (90th percentile). Tennessee has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.
How does Physician pay in Tennessee compare to the US average?
Physicians in Tennessee earn approximately 5% less than the US national median ($229,300 nationally vs $217,835 in Tennessee). Tennessee's cost-of-living index of 92 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Physician salaries in Tennessee increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in Tennessee grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $33,005 in 2025 to $217,835 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis demand.
Which Tennessee cities pay Physicians the most?
Top-paying Tennessee metros for Physicians: Nashville ($229K), Memphis ($202K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Physicians in Tennessee?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. Tennessee's top industries include Healthcare, Manufacturing (Auto, EV), Logistics (FedEx), and the state's unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Tennessee have state income tax?
No, Tennessee has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $217,835, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).
What skills are most in demand for Physicians in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine, Specialty practice, EHR efficiency. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Tennessee employers.
How can I increase my Physician salary in Tennessee?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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%). Walk-away anchor for Tennessee: $198,032.
Methodology
Tennessee Physician salary is the BLS national median ($229,300) adjusted by Tennessee's state multiplier (0.95×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Physician Salary in Other States
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