Nurse Practitioner Salary in Columbia, TN: $113,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Columbia, TN earns a median $113,368/year (≈ $54.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $123,495 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Columbia, Tennessee, the nurse practitioner salary is projected to be $113,368 in 2026, which reflects a significant percentage below the national median of $136,864. With salaries ranging from $86,150 at the lower end to $148,663 for top earners, this reflects the diverse opportunities available for nurse practitioners operating within the state's unique healthcare framework. Tennessee allows nurse practitioners practicing full autonomy, encouraging competition and variability in pay among those working in outpatient clinics, specialty settings, and urgent care centers. The compensation landscape in this region hints at potential disparities influenced by factors such as practice area and population served, making Columbia's job market appealing for those willing to maximize their earning potential.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,150 | $41.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,304 | $47.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,368 | $54.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,328 | $65.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,663 | $71.47 |
Median Salary Position
17.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, TN, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,513 (2026 est.). At $113,368, the local median is 17.17% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Columbia median: $113,368/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $116,275 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -17.17% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Columbia, TN earn a median of $113,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.17% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 2.50% below the Tennessee state average of $116,275.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $113,368 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $123,495 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,966
2025 BLS Actual
$109,587
2026 Current Est.
$113,368
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,507 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,962 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,732 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,584 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,587 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,279 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $90,966 (2019) to $109,587 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,279 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,313 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $86,150 – $99,304 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,304 – $113,368 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,368 – $135,328 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,328 – $148,663 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Columbia
The local job market for nurse practitioners includes only around 10 positions, which could indicate a competitive atmosphere, especially in a city with a cost-of-living index of 91.8, below the national average. This careful balance between compensation and living expenses suggests that the purchasing power for practitioners is relatively strong, despite the lower salaries compared to national figures. Employers such as hospital outpatient clinics and specialty practices typically offer higher compensation packages, potentially due to the specialized care they provide. Moreover, unique factors contribute to the income variance, such as the focus on mental health and the varying complexities of care across different certifications. Strategies to maximize pay in Columbia, TN, might include pursuing additional certifications in high-demand areas while considering opportunities with telehealth platforms or locum tenens work, which can enhance earnings through flexible schedules without the constraints of a full-time role.
More salary data for Columbia, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $109,587 for nurse practitionersin the Columbia metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Columbia is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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