How much is the telemetry nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Tennessee?

The estimated gap in Tennessee is about $2,580 a year, or roughly 3% more for telemetry 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

Telemetry Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse salary in Tennessee

In Tennessee, telemetry nurses earn more — an estimated $88,420 a year versus $85,840 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $2,580 (roughly 3% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Tennessee.

Telemetry Nurse — Tennessee

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$88,420

-12% vs national

Hourly

$42.51/hr

Median $88,420

$62,490Middle 50%: $72,810–$101,830$124,600

Typical range: $72,810–$101,830; What most nurses earn
High end: $124,600; Top earners
Entry level: $62,490; Newer nurses

Med-Surg Nurse — Tennessee

Specialty estimate

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

Why the gap in Tennessee

Telemetry and med-surg nurse pay is close, since both are staff RN roles built on the same wage base. Telemetry (cardiac-monitored) units run at slightly higher acuity, which can nudge pay and differentials up, but the biggest factors are the local market, shift, and experience rather than a separate official wage. 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 Telemetry Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

Telemetry Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse in Tennessee — FAQ

Do telemetry nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in Tennessee?: In Tennessee, telemetry nurses earn more — an estimated $88,420 a year versus $85,840 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $2,580 (roughly 3% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Tennessee's local pay level.
How much is the telemetry nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Tennessee?: The estimated gap in Tennessee is about $2,580 a year, or roughly 3% more for telemetry 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 for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. 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.