New Graduate Nurse Salary Guide: Tennessee
Average New Graduate Nurse Salary
$40.84/hour
The average salary for a New Graduate Nurse in Tennessee is $40.84 per hour. This is 9% lower than the US average of $44.38.
Last updated on October 30, 2026. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
New Graduate Nurse salaries in Tennessee compared to National Averages
$40.84/hour
Tennessee
9% lower than the US average.
$44.38/hour
United States
What cities in Tennessee pay the most for New Graduate Nurses?
Smyrna, Tennessee pays New Graduate Nurses the most, averaging $44 per hour, followed by Springfield, Tennessee ($42) and Hendersonville, Tennessee ($40). Smyrna, Tennessee also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $45. For comparison, the Tennessee average for New Graduate Nurses is $41 per hour — Smyrna, Tennessee pays 7% more.
| City | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Smyrna, Tennessee | $44 | $45 |
| Springfield, Tennessee | $42 | $42 |
| Hendersonville, Tennessee | $40 | $40 |
| Franklin, Tennessee | $39 | $40 |
| Murfreesboro, Tennessee | $39 | $40 |
| Chattanooga, Tennessee | $39 | $39 |
| Nashville, Tennessee | $36 | $40 |
How does the pay for New Graduate Nurses in Tennessee compare to nearby states?
Virginia pays New Graduate Nurses the most, averaging $49 per hour, followed by Pennsylvania ($48) and North Carolina ($45). North Carolina has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $58. For comparison, the Tennessee average for New Graduate Nurses is $41 per hour — Virginia pays 19% more.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $49 | $51 |
| Pennsylvania | $48 | $55 |
| North Carolina | $45 | $58 |
| South Carolina | $43 | $46 |
| Georgia | $32 | $45 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for New Graduate Nurse jobs in Tennessee?
Only Perm Staff Jobs reports pay data for New Graduate Nurses, averaging $36 per hour. Perm Staff Jobs also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $42. For comparison, the Tennessee average for New Graduate Nurses is $41 per hour — Perm Staff Jobs pays 13% less.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Perm Staff Jobs | $36 | $42 |
Last updated on October 30, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
New Graduate 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 New Graduate Nurse Jobs
Registered Nurse (RN) - New Graduate
- TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center
- Smyrna, TN
$38-45/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - New Graduate
- TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center
- Hendersonville, TN
$40+/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - New Graduate
- Parkridge Valley Child & Adolescent Campus
- Chattanooga, TN
$38-39/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - New Graduate
- Parkridge Medical Center
- Chattanooga, TN
$38-39/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - New Graduate
- TriStar Centennial Medical Center
- Franklin, TN
$35-40/hour
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