worthsay

Nursing Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

Nursing pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $81,500/yr — 16% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #41 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Nursing.

Median salary
$81,500/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$75,460 – $95,250
National median
$97,550/yr
Employed in Tennessee
72,200

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
$81,500
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $88,683
State income tax
None

Tennessee's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #44 of 51, down from #41 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 nursing professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $81,500 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $75,460 and $95,250. That's 16% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for nursing?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #41 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $88,683. Tennessee's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #44 of 51, down from #41 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are nursing professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 72,200 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +4.9% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Nursing nationally — Tennessee pay is 16% below the national median. See the full Nursing career guide →

The verdict

Yes for most people — nursing pays well above the U.S. median with strong job security, but it costs you nights, weekends, and physical/emotional strain. Worth it if you want stable demand and can handle the hours; not if you need a 9-to-5 desk job.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Pay well above the U.S. median wage
  • Strong, recession-resistant demand (aging population)
  • Portable license — jobs in every city and specialty
  • Clear ladder: RN → BSN → NP with big pay jumps
  • Entry in ~2-4 years, far cheaper than med school

Cons

  • 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, holidays
  • Physically demanding and emotionally draining
  • High burnout rates, especially post-pandemic
  • Exposure to illness, trauma, and difficult patients
  • Understaffing is common and worsening in many hospitals

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People who want stability and are comfortable in high-stakes settings
  • Those who prefer hands-on, human-facing work over a desk
  • Anyone wanting a fast, affordable route to a strong salary

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who need fixed weekday hours
  • Those who struggle with high-stress or high-emotion environments
  • Anyone squeamish around blood, bodily fluids, or death

What people are actually asking

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