Bookkeeper salary in Nashville, TN
Median pay, Nashville metro
$50,810/year
about $24.43 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $45,130 – $61,320
Half of bookkeepers in the Nashville metro area earn more than $50,810 a year and half earn less. That's about the same as the national median of $50,670, and ranks #21 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| 25th | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Median (50th) | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| 75th | $61,320 | $29.48 |
| 90th (top earners) | $74,090 | $35.62 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a bookkeeper job in the Nashville metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $45,130 ($21.70/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $45,130 to $61,320 ($21.70 to $29.48/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $61,320 ($29.48/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Ask which software you'd use (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite). Experience with it can support a higher offer.
- Full-charge bookkeepers who handle everything through month-end close usually earn more than clerks.
- Part-time and contract bookkeeping is common, so compare by hourly rate.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Nashville metro. Occupation: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (SOC 43-3031). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.