Registered Nurse Salary in Tennessee: $82K Median

The average Registered Nurse salary in Tennessee is $81,767 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $60,534 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $126,046 (90th percentile). Tennessee has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.

Registered Nurses in Tennessee earn approximately 5% less than the US national median ($86,070 nationally vs $81,767 in Tennessee). Tennessee's cost-of-living index of 92 amplifies the real purchasing power.

Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Tennessee grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $12,389 in 2025 to $81,767 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.

Top-paying Tennessee metros for Registered Nurses: Nashville ($86K), Memphis ($76K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.

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

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 $81,767, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).

Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Tennessee employers.

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: $74,334.