Registered Nurse Salary in Knoxville, TN
Registered Nurses in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median $77,240 a year — 21% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,168 take-home, or $5,264 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Knoxville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,163
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,789
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,120
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$63,168
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Knoxville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,070 | $27.44 | $48,036 | $4,003 |
| 25th percentile | $71,550 | $34.40 | $59,165 | $4,930 |
| Median (50th) | $77,240 | $37.13 | $63,168 | $5,264 |
| 75th percentile | $83,000 | $39.90 | $67,221 | $5,602 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,360 | $46.81 | $77,323 | $6,444 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,240 buys in Knoxville, TN
Prices in Knoxville, TN are 7.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 17% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $63,168 take-home pay has the buying power of $68,239 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Registered Nurse jobs are about as common in Knoxville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.03).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Knoxville, TN ranks #299 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 299 | Knoxville, TN | $77,240 | $63,168 | $68,239 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Kingsport, TN — $76,730
- Jackson, TN — $75,610
- Johnson City, TN — $77,660
- Morristown, TN — $75,680
- Memphis, TN — $81,500
- Clarksville, TN — $79,450
- Chattanooga, TN — $79,770
- Nashville, TN — $84,040
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Knoxville, TN?
The median registered nurse salary in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $77,240 a year, or about $37.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $71,550 and $83,000.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Knoxville, TN?
On the median $77,240 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $63,168 a year ($5,264 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Knoxville, TN a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 21% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $68,239 would in a typical U.S. city. Knoxville, TN ranks #299 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Knoxville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Knoxville, TN is $1,126 a month ($1,401 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
- Family Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $132,460
- Nurse Practitioner — $109,740
- Physical Therapist — $96,110
- Dental Hygienist — $84,640
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $68,890
- Respiratory Therapist — $64,800
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $58,650
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $57,960
- Surgical Technologist — $54,900
- Medical Records Specialist — $47,660