Registered Nurse Salary in Nashville, TN
Registered Nurses in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median $84,040 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $67,952 take-home, or $5,663 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Nashville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,659
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,210
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,219
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$67,952
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Nashville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,480 | $33.40 | $57,709 | $4,809 |
| 25th percentile | $81,630 | $39.25 | $66,257 | $5,521 |
| Median (50th) | $84,040 | $40.40 | $67,952 | $5,663 |
| 75th percentile | $103,550 | $49.78 | $81,677 | $6,806 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,030 | $53.86 | $87,643 | $7,304 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $84,040 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 registered nurse's $67,952 take-home pay has the buying power of $70,535 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 Nashville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.05).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Nashville, TN ranks #234 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 |
| 234 | Nashville, TN | $84,040 | $67,952 | $70,535 |
*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
- Knoxville, TN — $77,240
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Nashville, TN?
The median registered nurse salary in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $84,040 a year, or about $40.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $81,630 and $103,550.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Nashville, TN?
On the median $84,040 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $67,952 a year ($5,663 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $70,535 would in a typical U.S. city. Nashville, TN ranks #234 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse 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) — 27% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Nashville, TN
- Anesthesiologist — $239,200+
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $215,290
- Nurse Anesthetist — $211,450
- Family Medicine Physician — $211,370
- Pharmacist — $137,590
- Physician Assistant — $129,050
- Veterinarian — $126,230
- Nurse Practitioner — $122,320
- Physical Therapist — $103,380
- Occupational Therapist — $100,630
- Dental Hygienist — $94,030