Nurse Practitioner Salary in Tennessee: $122,212 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $122,212/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $133,129 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Memphis ($124,600), Nashville ($122,320), Franklin ($120,847).
The average median salary for nurse practitioners in Tennessee is projected to be $122,212 in 2026, which is approximately 10.7% lower than the national median of $136,864. Within the state, the highest paying city is Memphis at $128,899, while Johnson City ranks as the lowest at $105,964. This salary disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas. Tennessee’s licensing requirements and scope of practice laws allow nurse practitioners to operate with a degree of autonomy, which is a key driver in meeting healthcare demands across the state. As of 2026, the job market for nurse practitioners in Tennessee is expected to see a positive growth rate of 3.45% annually, indicating an increasing need for healthcare providers. The top five cities offering the highest salaries for nurse practitioners in 2026 are Memphis ($128,899), Nashville ($126,540), Franklin ($125,016), Murfreesboro ($124,297), and Kingsport ($122,557). The expected growth in employment opportunities, combined with favorable state regulations, positions Tennessee as a viable option for nurse practitioners seeking to advance their careers in a growing field.
Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $60,301 (lowest entry-level) to $166,041 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee nurse practitioners earn 10.71% less than the national median ($-14,652/year difference).
Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Tennessee range from $88,297 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $144,967 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $122,212. The Tennessee median is $14,652 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $58.76/hr. Approximately 11,032 nurse practitioners are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$98,022
2025 BLS Actual
$118,136
2026 Current Est.
$122,212
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,022 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,342 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,112 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,369 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,717 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,749 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,136 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,212 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,428 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $98,022 (2019) to $118,136 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,428 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,406 (28.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnson City | $105,964 |
| Tullahoma | $107,482 |
| Morristown | $109,202 |
| Sevierville | $109,827 |
| Maryville | $110,461 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport | $122,557 | 86.447 | $141,771 |
| Memphis | $128,899 | 92.179 | $139,836 |
| Franklin | $125,016 | 91.8 | $136,183 |
| Murfreesboro | $124,297 | 91.8 | $135,400 |
| Chattanooga | $120,499 | 91.464 | $131,745 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $88,297 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $122,212 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $144,967 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $128,899 |
| 2 | Nashville | $126,540 |
| 3 | Franklin | $125,016 |
| 4 | Murfreesboro | $124,297 |
| 5 | Kingsport | $122,557 |
| 6 | Chattanooga | $120,499 |
| 7 | Clarksville | $119,133 |
| 8 | Smyrna | $117,584 |
| 9 | Bartlett | $116,995 |
| 10 | Collierville | $116,589 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $115,696 |
| 12 | Lebanon | $114,144 |
| 13 | Oak Ridge | $114,135 |
| 14 | Knoxville | $113,526 |
| 15 | Columbia | $113,368 |
| 16 | Germantown | $113,223 |
| 17 | Hendersonville | $112,996 |
| 18 | Gallatin | $112,799 |
| 19 | Brentwood | $112,212 |
| 20 | Jackson | $111,995 |
| 21 | Shelbyville | $111,340 |
| 22 | Mount Juliet | $111,337 |
| 23 | La Vergne | $111,102 |
| 24 | Cleveland | $111,064 |
| 25 | Cookeville | $110,533 |
| 26 | Maryville | $110,461 |
| 27 | Sevierville | $109,827 |
| 28 | Morristown | $109,202 |
| 29 | Tullahoma | $107,482 |
| 30 | Johnson City | $105,964 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Tennessee?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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