Chief Executive Salary in Nashville, TN
Chief Executives in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median $218,190 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $162,299 take-home, or $13,525 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$41,125
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$3,327
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$162,299
Marginal rate: 32% federal + 0.00% state
Chief Executive pay by experience in Nashville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,260 | $40.03 | $67,403 | $5,617 |
| 25th percentile | $132,960 | $63.92 | $102,144 | $8,512 |
| Median (50th) | $218,190 | $104.90 | $162,299 | $13,525 |
| 75th percentile | $330,300+ | $158.80 | $234,160 | $19,513 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $487,440+ | $234.35 | $332,608 | $27,717 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $218,190 buys in Nashville, TN
Prices in Nashville, TN are 3.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chief executive's $162,299 take-home pay has the buying power of $168,468 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chief Executive jobs are about as common in Nashville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.19).
Best-paying cities for chief executives, adjusted for cost of living
Nashville, TN ranks #22 of 55 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $239,200+ | $259,032 | $233,083 |
| 2 | Bridgeport, CT | $239,200+ | $247,855 | $231,935 |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | $239,200+ | $220,744 | $226,758 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $239,200+ | $227,744 | $220,918 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $239,200+ | $226,413 | $218,556 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $239,200+ | $213,626 | $218,302 |
| 7 | Des Moines, IA | $239,200+ | $199,056 | $217,070 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $239,200+ | $227,767 | $216,055 |
| 22 | Nashville, TN | $218,190 | $162,299 | $168,468 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 55 metros →
Chief Executive salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Chattanooga, TN — $209,990
- Knoxville, TN — $198,890
- Memphis, TN — $196,680
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Nashville, TN?
The median chief executive salary in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $218,190 a year, or about $104.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $132,960 and $239,200+.
What is a chief executive’s take-home pay in Nashville, TN?
On the median $218,190 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $162,299 a year ($13,525 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a chief executive?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $213,990. Local prices are 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $168,468 would in a typical U.S. city. Nashville, TN ranks #22 of 55 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chief executive afford rent in Nashville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Nashville, TN is $1,530 a month ($1,685 for two bedrooms) — 11% of a median chief executive’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Nashville, TN
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $165,970
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $159,720
- Financial Manager — $156,860
- Purchasing Manager — $140,410
- Marketing Manager — $135,370
- Human Resources Manager — $135,230
- Administrative Services Manager — $133,220
- Sales Manager — $131,600
- Construction Manager — $122,190
- General and Operations Manager — $119,990
- Industrial Production Manager — $118,440
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $116,480