Registered Nurse salary in Nashville, TN
Median pay, Nashville metro
$84,040/year
about $40.40 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $81,630 – $103,550
Half of registered nurses in the Nashville metro area earn more than $84,040 a year and half earn less. That's 14% lower than the national median of $97,550, and ranks #27 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $69,480 | $33.40 |
| 25th | $81,630 | $39.25 |
| Median (50th) | $84,040 | $40.40 |
| 75th | $103,550 | $49.78 |
| 90th (top earners) | $112,030 | $53.86 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a registered nurse job in the Nashville metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $81,630 ($39.25/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $81,630 to $103,550 ($39.25 to $49.78/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $103,550 ($49.78/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Shift differentials for nights and weekends can add a lot on top of the base rate, so ask for them in writing.
- Sign-on bonuses often come with a clawback if you leave within one or two years. Check the terms before you count on it.
- Ask about nurse-to-patient ratios and mandatory overtime, since they shape the job far more than the posting suggests.
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: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.