Nurse salary in Knoxville
Registered nurses in the Knoxville, TN area earn about $87,800 a year ($42.21/hr) — about 10% below the U.S. average. City figures are estimates based on national pay and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Registered nurse — Knoxville, TN
EstimatedMedian annual pay
$87,800
-10% vs nationalHourly
$42.21/hr
- Typical range
- $72,300–$101,120
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $123,720
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $62,050
- Newer nurses
Part of Tennessee. See statewide nurse pay and other metros.
Nurse roles in Knoxville
Estimated median pay by role.
| Role | Median | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $87,800 | Estimated |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $57,960 | Estimated |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,070 | Estimated |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $212,930 | Estimated |
| Travel Nurse | $109,740 | Specialty estimate |
| ICU Nurse | $98,330 | Specialty estimate |
| Nurse Manager | $114,130 | Specialty estimate |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $38,030 | Estimated |
All nurse roles in Knoxville
Estimated pay for every nurse type in the Knoxville, TN area — open one for the full local breakdown.
What affects nurse pay in Knoxville
East Tennessee metro. Beyond that, local nurse pay reflects the cost of living, the concentration of major hospital systems and academic medical centers, union contracts, and how competitive staffing is. Nights, weekends, and critical-care specialties typically add to base pay. Estimate your own with the calculator.
How this estimate was calculated
The Knoxville figure adjusts the national RN average of $97,550 for local pay levels — a factor of 0.90× (about 10% below the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official Knoxville wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official metro wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this metro estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Knoxville, based on national pay and local cost of living until official metro data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Knoxville make this page more precise over time.
Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × metro wage index)
Knoxville, TN figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a metro adjustment of 0.90×).
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology
Last reviewed July 3, 2026.