Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Registered Nurses salary grow from entry-level to senior in Tennessee? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
64% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • Tennessee salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Registered Nurses in Tennessee spans from $63,970 at entry-level to $104,920 at senior level — a difference of $40,950 per year.
Senior Registered Nursess in Tennessee earn $40,950 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Registered Nurses salary increases with experience in Tennessee, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $63,970 | $5,331 | $30.75 |
| Early Career | P25 | $75,460 | $6,288 | $36.28 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $81,500 | $6,792 | $39.18 |
| Experienced | P75 | $95,250 | $7,938 | $45.79 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $104,920 | $8,743 | $50.44 |
Registered Nurses in Tennessee has a moderate salary progression with a 64% growth from entry-level ($63,970) to senior ($104,920). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($81,500) and P90 ($104,920) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does Tennessee rank for Registered Nurses senior-level salaries? Compare Tennessee's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Registered Nursess (10th percentile) earn approximately $63,970 per year, or $5,330 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $75,460. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Registered Nursess (90th percentile) earn approximately $104,920 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $95,250. This represents a career premium of 64% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Registered Nursess is 64%. Entry-level professionals start at $63,970, while senior-level can earn up to $104,920 — a difference of $40,950 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Registered Nursess is Tennessee, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $104,920 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
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Salary percentile data for Tennessee from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Tennessee.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS