Registered Nurse Salary Guide: Tennessee
Average Registered Nurse Salary
$38.62/hour
The average salary for a Registered Nurse in Tennessee is $38.62 per hour. This is 31% lower than the US average of $50.71.
Last updated on October 8, 2026. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Registered Nurse salaries in Tennessee compared to National Averages
$38.62/hour
Tennessee
31% lower than the US average.
$50.71/hour
United States
What cities in Tennessee pay the most for Registered Nurses?
Smyrna, Tennessee pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $45 per hour, followed by Springfield, Tennessee ($42) and Hendersonville, Tennessee ($40). For comparison, the Tennessee average for Registered Nurses is $39 per hour — Smyrna, Tennessee pays 17% more.
| City | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Smyrna, Tennessee | $45 | $45 |
| Springfield, Tennessee | $42 | $42 |
| Hendersonville, Tennessee | $40 | $40 |
| Franklin, Tennessee | $39 | $40 |
| Murfreesboro, Tennessee | $39 | $40 |
| Nashville, Tennessee | $36 | $40 |
| Memphis, Tennessee | $35 | $42 |
| Bartlett, Tennessee | $34 | $34 |
| Germantown, Tennessee | $32 | $42 |
What type of Registered Nurses make the most money in Tennessee?
Maternal - Newborn and Post Partum earn the most among Nursing specialties in Tennessee, both averaging $44 per hour, ahead of Psychiatric ($44). Critical Care Float has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $54. For comparison, the Tennessee average for Registered Nurses is $39 per hour — Maternal - Newborn and Post Partum earn 14% more.
| Specialty | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Maternal - Newborn | $44 | $46 |
| Post Partum | $44 | $46 |
| Psychiatric | $44 | $46 |
| Mental Health | $44 | $46 |
| Critical Care Float | $44 | $54 |
| Clinical Nurse Coordinator | $42 | $49 |
| Hospice | $42 | $42 |
How does the pay for Registered Nurses in Tennessee compare to nearby states?
Virginia pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $53 per hour, followed by Georgia ($49) and North Carolina ($49). Virginia also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $62. For comparison, the Tennessee average for Registered Nurses is $39 per hour — Virginia pays 36% more.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $53 | $62 |
| Georgia | $49 | $53 |
| North Carolina | $49 | $58 |
| Ohio | $47 | $51 |
| Kentucky | $44 | $46 |
| West Virginia | $42 | $47 |
| Mississippi | $41 | $42 |
| Alabama | $41 | $42 |
| South Carolina | $39 | $46 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Registered Nurse jobs in Tennessee?
CoreCivic pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $48 per hour, followed by Select Medical ($44) and Perm Staff Jobs ($35). Select Medical has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $51. For comparison, the Tennessee average for Registered Nurses is $39 per hour — CoreCivic pays 25% more.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| CoreCivic | $48 | $49 |
| Select Medical | $44 | $51 |
| Perm Staff Jobs | $35 | $48 |
| Tenet Memphis | $33 | $34 |
Last updated on October 8, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Top Registered Nurse Jobs
Registered Nurse (RN) - Director of Nursing
- Gentiva Hospice
- Chattanooga, TN
$88K-125K/year
Registered Nurse (RN) - Long Term Acute Care
- Select Specialty Hospital - West Tennessee
- Jackson, TN
$51/hour
Registered Nurse - Correctional
- Trousdale Turner Correctional Center
- Hartsville, TN
$43-56/hour
Registered Nurse - Correctional
- Whiteville Correctional Facility
- Whiteville, TN
$42-54/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - ED - Emergency Department
- TriStar Summit Medical Center
- Hermitage, TN
$43-52/hour
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