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Registered Nurse Salary in Memphis, Tennessee

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$65,788/ year

Median Registered Nurse in Memphis, TN

$40,516
10th
$49,410
25th
$65,788
Median
$85,860
75th
$104,749
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$65,788
Total compensation (est.)
$75,656
Bonus range
$3,050 – $12,720
Mean salary
$69,735

How This Compares

Memphis, TN median
$65,788
Tennessee median
$82,844-20.6%
National median
$81,220-19.0%

Cost of living in Memphis is 19% below the national average. Salary of $65,788 here is equivalent to $81,220 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$47,367-28.0%
3-5 years
$59,867-9.0%
6-10 years
$73,683+12.0%
10+ years
$90,787+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$57,893-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$65,788
Enterprise (5,000+)
$77,630+18.0%

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Registered Nurse Salaries in Nearby Cities

Nashville, TN$85,281/yr
Knoxville, TN$81,220/yr
Chattanooga, TN$81,220/yr
Clarksville, TN$81,220/yr

Related Jobs in Memphis

Nurse Practitioner$100,991/yr
Physician Assistant$102,068/yr
Physical Therapist$79,153/yr
Occupational Therapist$75,476/yr
Pharmacist$107,528/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$32/hr
Monthly gross$5,482/mo
25th percentile$49,410/yr
75th percentile$85,860/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Tennessee Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.6%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Registered Nurse Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Memphis?

The median Registered Nurse salary in Memphis is $65,788 per year, with a range from $49,410 at the 25th percentile to $85,860 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Registered Nurse pay in Memphis compare to the national average?

Registered Nurse salaries in Memphis are 19% below the national median of $81,220. After adjusting for Memphis's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $81,220 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Registered Nurse salaries in Memphis?

In Memphis, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Registered Nurse roles start around $40,516, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $104,749 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Memphis a good place for Registered Nurse jobs?

Memphis offers a Registered Nurse median of $65,788, which is 19% below the US median of $81,220. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Memphis is 19% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Registered Nurse salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Registered Nurse in Memphis is $85,860, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.