Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $54.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Knoxville, TN runs $54.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,526 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,116 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, Tennessee, the projected median hourly pay for nurse practitioners is $54.58, notably lower than the national median of $65.80. This difference in remuneration means that working part-time—around three days per week—can still provide a decent income for NPs, especially in diverse settings like hospital outpatient clinics, urgent care facilities, and even telehealth environments. For those considering per-diem work, the hourly pay can vary significantly depending on the employer or specialty, with entry-level positions starting closer to $42.38 and top earners reaching up to $67.23 per hour. These figures reflect official Bureau of Labor Statistics data as of 2025, projected to income expectations for 2026.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.38 | $339.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.34 | $402.71 |
| Median (P50) | $54.58 | $436.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.97 | $511.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.23 | $537.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $54.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.58/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $113,527 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,496. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,183.21 | $9,461 | $113,527 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,309.93 | $5,676 | $68,116 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $873.28 | $3,784 | $45,411 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Knoxville) | $54.58 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $113,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.05% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 2.40% below the Tennessee state average of $116,318.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.58/hr = $68,116/year (purchasing power: $73,584).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,527/year (purchasing power: $122,640).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Knoxville grew 13.3% from $46.58/hr (2019) to $52.76/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.46/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Practitioner in Knoxville
For nurse practitioners in Knoxville, part-time work can lead to substantial earnings, with those putting in around 24 hours per week taking home an income markedly lower than that of full-time peers, yet it still can provide a comfortable living. Many NPs choose per-diem opportunities or locum tenens positions, which offer more flexibility and can command rates anywhere from $80 to $140 per hour, especially in specialties like mental health. In addition, contract roles in telehealth may yield hourly wages as high as $150 to $200. However, nurse practitioners must consider the trade-offs between higher hourly rates and benefits when evaluating job offers from a range of employers, including retail clinics, primary care settings, and specialty clinics. Negotiation tips specific to Knoxville would involve being well-versed in the local demand for various specializations and understanding how your experience aligns with the needs of potential employers in the area.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Knoxville in 2026?
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Knoxville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov