How much is the registered nurse vs nursing assistant (cna) pay gap in Tennessee?

The estimated gap in Tennessee is about $48,650 a year, or roughly 131% more for registered nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Tennessee figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Tennessee wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Tennessee's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

Why are some figures verified and others estimates?

National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Tennessee · TN

Registered Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in Tennessee

In Tennessee, registered nurses earn more — an estimated $85,840 a year versus $37,190 for nursing assistant (cna)s, a gap of about $48,650 (roughly 131% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Tennessee.

Registered Nurse — Tennessee

Estimated

Median annual pay

$85,840

-12% vs national

Hourly

$41.27/hr

Median $85,840

$60,670Middle 50%: $70,690–$98,870$120,970

Typical range: $70,690–$98,870; What most nurses earn
High end: $120,970; Top earners
Entry level: $60,670; Newer nurses

Nursing Assistant (CNA) — Tennessee

Estimated

Median annual pay

$37,190

-12% vs national

Hourly

$17.88/hr

Median $37,190

$29,870Middle 50%: $32,790–$41,550$45,740

Typical range: $32,790–$41,550; What most nurses earn
High end: $45,740; Top earners
Entry level: $29,870; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Tennessee

Registered nurses earn substantially more than certified nursing assistants because the RN is a licensed professional role requiring an ADN or BSN degree and passing the NCLEX-RN, while the CNA is an entry-level certificate role focused on assisting with basic patient care. The gap reflects differences in scope of practice, education, and clinical responsibility. The Tennessee figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Tennessee's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Registered Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) comparison or personalize the calculator.

Registered Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Tennessee — FAQ

Do registered nurses or nursing assistant (cna)s earn more in Tennessee?: In Tennessee, registered nurses earn more — an estimated $85,840 a year versus $37,190 for nursing assistant (cna)s, a gap of about $48,650 (roughly 131% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Tennessee's local pay level.
How much is the registered nurse vs nursing assistant (cna) pay gap in Tennessee?: The estimated gap in Tennessee is about $48,650 a year, or roughly 131% more for registered nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Tennessee figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Tennessee wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Tennessee's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
Why are some figures verified and others estimates?: National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

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 × state wage index)

Tennessee figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.88×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Tennessee. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.