Receptionist salary in Nashville, TN
Median pay, Nashville metro
$36,810/year
about $17.70 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $31,570 – $43,580
Half of receptionists in the Nashville metro area earn more than $36,810 a year and half earn less. That's 3% lower than the national median of $38,010, and ranks #21 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| 25th | $31,570 | $15.18 |
| Median (50th) | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| 75th | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| 90th (top earners) | $46,990 | $22.59 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a receptionist job in the Nashville metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $31,570 ($15.18/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $31,570 to $43,580 ($15.18 to $20.95/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $43,580 ($20.95/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Medical and legal offices often pay receptionists more than general offices.
- Ask whether the role is hourly and how overtime and lunch breaks are handled.
- If the duties include billing, scheduling and office management, it's more than a receptionist job. Ask for pay to match.
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: Receptionists and Information Clerks (SOC 43-4171). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.