Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Tennessee 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Registered Nurse Salary in Tennessee (2026): City-by-City Pay Data
The average registered nurse salary in Tennessee in 2026 is $65,200/year ($31.35/hour). Nashville commands the highest pay driven by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and HCA's corporate presence; Memphis and Knoxville are secondary markets with lower base rates.
RN Salary by City in Tennessee
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville Metro | $72,400 | Vanderbilt, HCA TriStar — premium for specialty experience |
| Knoxville | $64,500 | UT Medical Center, Covenant Health |
| Memphis | $63,800 | Methodist Le Bonheur, Baptist Memorial |
| Chattanooga | $62,000 | Erlanger, CHI Memorial |
| Tri-Cities (Johnson City) | $59,000 | Ballad Health — rural NE TN/SW VA market |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Tennessee
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $195,000 |
| Cardiac / Cath Lab RN | $88,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $84,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $80,000 |
| Emergency RN | $77,000 |
Top Tennessee Healthcare Employers for RNs
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — highest pay in TN; transplant, cardiac, oncology specialties command top rates
- HCA TriStar Health — largest community hospital network in Nashville; consistent demand, shift differentials
- UT Medical Center (Knoxville) — academic system; Level I trauma and cardiac programs
- Methodist Le Bonheur (Memphis) — pediatric specialty (Le Bonheur Children's) and academic programs
- Ballad Health (Tri-Cities) — rural NE TN; relocation and loan repayment incentives
Compact License Status
Tennessee is an NLC compact state. RNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Tennessee without a separate TN endorsement.
Tennessee RN Job Market Outlook
Nashville's health-tech sector growth (companies like Healtheon, Change Healthcare, HCA corporate) creates demand for clinical informatics and advisory RN roles beyond bedside positions. Travel RN rates in Nashville run $1,700–$2,200/week. Ballad Health's rural NE TN market offers sign-on bonuses up to $20,000 and loan forgiveness for primary care and critical access positions.
How to Maximize Your RN Salary in Tennessee
- Target Vanderbilt for specialty roles: Transplant and cardiac RNs at VUMC earn $85K–$98K with top-tier benefits
- HCA TriStar sign-on bonuses: Nashville-area HCA hospitals regularly offer $10K–$15K sign-on for experienced RNs
- Pursue ICU or OR certifications: CCRN and CNOR command $5K–$8K annual premium at most TN systems
- Travel nursing in Nashville: Agency contracts run significantly above staff pay — viable for experienced RNs willing to flex assignments
Related: RN Salary Florida 2026, RN Salary Georgia 2026, Tennessee RN License Guide.
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