worthsay

Nurse Practitioner Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

Nurse Practitioner pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $117,590/yr — 11% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeis one of the lowest-paying states (#50 of 51).

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Nurse Practitioner.

Median salary
$117,590/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$102,640 – $130,330
National median
$132,300/yr
Employed in Tennessee
12,150

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Tennessee

Salary alone can mislead — Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
91.9
Nominal median
$117,590
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $127,954
State income tax
None

Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #45 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #50 on raw salary.

Tennessee levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do nurse practitioner professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $117,590 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $102,640 and $130,330. That's 11% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for nurse practitioner?

By raw pay, Tennessee is one of the lowest-paying states (#50 of 51). Adjusted for cost of living (Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $127,954. Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #45 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #50 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are nurse practitioner professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 12,150 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +40.1% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Nurse Practitioner nationally — Tennessee pay is 11% below the national median. See the full Nurse Practitioner career guide →

The verdict

Yes — nurse practitioner is one of the strongest careers anywhere: high pay, the fastest projected growth in this set, and significant autonomy. It requires becoming an RN first and earning a master's (MSN), but the payoff is exceptional.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • High pay with the fastest projected growth in this set
  • Significant clinical autonomy (prescribing in many states)
  • Exceptional job security and demand
  • Builds directly on an RN foundation
  • Strong payback relative to graduate cost

Cons

  • Requires RN licensure plus a master's (MSN)
  • Years of education and clinical hours
  • High responsibility and liability
  • Scope of practice varies by state
  • Demanding workload

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • RNs ready to advance their careers
  • People wanting high pay with clinical autonomy
  • Anyone seeking top-tier job security

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to become an RN first
  • Those who can't commit to graduate study

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Nurse Practitioner is worth it — titles link to the original threads.