Last Updated: May 2026
Nashville RN Salary 2026: How Much Do Nurses Make in Nashville, TN?
Quick Answer
Nashville RNs earn $72,800/year ($35.00/hr) based on the latest BLS data — below the national average but with no state income tax and a moderate cost of living. Vanderbilt University Medical Center pays $80,000–$105,000/year. Travel nurses in Nashville earn $2,000–$2,800/week all-in.
Nashville is the healthcare industry capital of the South — home to HCA Healthcare's global headquarters and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, one of the Southeast's premier academic medical systems. Staff RN pay is below the national average, but zero state income tax and moderate housing costs make Nashville more competitive than the nominal salary suggests.
Nashville RN Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Nashville RN Salary by Years of Experience
| Experience Level | Annual Salary Range | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | $58,000 – $65,000 | $27.88 – $31.25/hr |
| Mid-Career (3–7 yrs) | $70,000 – $84,000 | $33.65 – $40.38/hr |
| Senior (8+ yrs) | $84,000 – $102,000 | $40.38 – $49.04/hr |
| Top 10% earners | $108,000+ | $51.92+/hr |
Source: NurseSalaryIntel 2026 data
Nashville RN Salary by Hospital (2026)
Vanderbilt dominates the Nashville market for both salary and academic prestige. Its Level 1 Trauma Center status and academic medical center pay bands push experienced nurses to $100,000+ — well above the HCA system hospitals that make up the rest of the market.
Nurse Salary by Hospital in Nashville, TN
| Hospital | RN Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $80,000 – $105,000 | Level 1 Trauma; PSLF eligible |
| Monroe Carell Jr. Children's at VUMC | $78,000 – $102,000 | Pediatric Level 1 Trauma |
| Saint Thomas Midtown (Ascension) | $72,000 – $92,000 | Sign-on: $6K–$12K |
| HCA TriStar Centennial Medical | $70,000 – $90,000 | Sign-on: $8K–$15K |
| HCA TriStar Skyline Medical | $69,000 – $88,000 | HCA system benefits |
| Nashville General Hospital | $67,000 – $85,000 | Public hospital; PSLF eligible |
Source: NurseSalaryIntel 2026 hospital data
Nashville RN Salary by Specialty (2026)
Nashville RN Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary | Premium Over Med-Surg |
|---|---|---|
| Med-Surg | $68,000 | Base |
| Telemetry | $71,500 | +$3,500 |
| L&D | $74,000 | +$6,000 |
| ER | $76,500 | +$8,500 |
| OR / Surgical | $75,000 | +$7,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care | $79,000 | +$11,000 |
| NICU | $76,800 | +$8,800 |
Source: NurseSalaryIntel 2026 data
Nashville as a Travel Nurse Market
Nashville is one of the Southeast's strongest travel nurse markets. HCA's dominant market presence means frequent contract postings, and Vanderbilt regularly uses travelers to cover specialty units. Weekly all-in packages (base + tax-free stipends) run $2,000–$2,800/week for most specialties, with ICU and ER traveling at the high end. No state income tax amplifies the net value of those stipends.
Related Salary Guides
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Travel Nurse Salary Guide
Nashville travel contracts explained
New Grad RN Salary 2026
Starting pay for Tennessee nurses
Charge Nurse Salary 2026
Leadership differential at Nashville hospitals
📊 Data Methodology
Salary figures on this page are 2026 estimates derived from the most recent available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, based on the May 2024 survey and published in March 2025. Estimated ranges may also incorporate publicly available 2025 job postings, hospital pay schedules, regional market conditions, and reported compensation trends.
Official 2026 OEWS wage data has not yet been released. All salary figures on this page should be treated as informational estimates rather than official government statistics or guaranteed compensation rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average RN salary in Nashville, TN in 2026?
Why is Nashville a top travel nurse market?
Does Tennessee have state income tax for nurses?
What Nashville hospitals pay nurses the most?
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