Behavioral Health Nurse Salary Guide: Tennessee
Average Behavioral Health Nurse Salary
$40.45/hour
The average salary for a Behavioral Health Nurse in Tennessee is $40.45 per hour. This is 30% lower than the US average of $52.61.
Last updated on November 13, 2026. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Behavioral Health Nurse salaries in Tennessee compared to National Averages
$40.45/hour
Tennessee
30% lower than the US average.
$52.61/hour
United States
What cities in Tennessee pay the most for Behavioral Health Nurses?
Smyrna, Tennessee pays Behavioral Health Nurses the most, averaging $43 per hour, followed by Hendersonville, Tennessee ($40) and Franklin, Tennessee ($39). Smyrna, Tennessee also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $45. For comparison, the Tennessee average for Behavioral Health Nurses is $40 per hour — Smyrna, Tennessee pays 7% more.
| City | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Smyrna, Tennessee | $43 | $45 |
| Hendersonville, Tennessee | $40 | $40 |
| Franklin, Tennessee | $39 | $40 |
| Murfreesboro, Tennessee | $39 | $40 |
| Chattanooga, Tennessee | $39 | $39 |
| Nashville, Tennessee | $37 | $40 |
How does the pay for Behavioral Health Nurses in Tennessee compare to nearby states?
North Carolina pays Behavioral Health Nurses the most, averaging $51 per hour, followed by Virginia ($48) and Georgia ($39). North Carolina also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $58. For comparison, the Tennessee average for Behavioral Health Nurses is $40 per hour — North Carolina pays 27% more.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $51 | $58 |
| Virginia | $48 | $52 |
| Georgia | $39 | $43 |
| Ohio | $36 | $36 |
| South Carolina | $34 | $41 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Behavioral Health Nurse jobs in Tennessee?
Only Perm Staff Jobs reports pay data for Behavioral Health Nurses, averaging $34 per hour. Perm Staff Jobs also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $44. For comparison, the Tennessee average for Behavioral Health Nurses is $40 per hour — Perm Staff Jobs pays 16% less.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Perm Staff Jobs | $34 | $44 |
Last updated on November 13, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Behavioral Health Nurse Career Guide
Use our exclusive Career Guides to research the education, qualifications, skills and responsibilities for a variety of healthcare disciplines and specialties employers are hiring now.
Go to the guideTop Behavioral Health Nurse Jobs
Registered Nurse (RN) - Behavioral Health
- TriStar Centennial Medical Center
- Nashville, TN
$42-46/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - Mental Health
- TriStar Centennial Medical Center
- Nashville, TN
$42-46/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - Psychiatric
- Parkridge Valley Child & Adolescent Campus
- Chattanooga, TN
$38-39/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - Mental Health
- Parkridge Valley Child & Adolescent Campus
- Chattanooga, TN
$38-39/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - Behavioral Health
- Parkridge Valley Acute Campus
- Chattanooga, TN
$38-39/hour
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