How Much Does a CNA Make in Tennessee in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Tennessee, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Tennessee · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Tennessee earns about $18.27 per hour ($37,990 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That runs about 10% below the national figure of $42,260 a year, and Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay. Around 27,040 CNAs work across Tennessee, part of a national workforce of more than 1.4 million.
How much does a CNA make in Tennessee?
CNA pay by career stage in Tennessee
| Career stage | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $31,110$14.96 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $35,560$17.09 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $37,990$18.27 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $40,880$19.66 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $44,660$21.47 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Tennessee
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Tennessee · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, Tennessee CNAs earned $22,390 a year. By 2025, that figure had climbed to $37,990, a rise of 70% over the decade, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That outpaces the national CNA wage rise of 64% over the same period.
The increase wasn't a straight line: pay moved up gradually through the late 2010s, then jumped noticeably between 2022 and 2023. For someone starting the job now, pay has been moving up steadily over the past ten years, though no specific future rise is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Tennessee
Nashville pays the most among Tennessee's tracked metro areas, with CNAs there earning $39,510 a year ($18.99 an hour). Chattanooga and Memphis follow close behind, both above $38,000. Jackson posts the lowest figure among the state's cities, at $36,900 a year, putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas at $2,610.
These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center. Pay in Nashville tends to run higher partly because living costs there run higher too.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Tennessee | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $39,510 | $18.99 | +4% | 7,420 |
| 2 | Chattanooga | $38,790 | $18.65 | +2% | 2,420 |
| 3 | Memphis | $38,010 | $18.27 | 0% | 4,930 |
| 4 | Knoxville | $38,000 | $18.27 | 0% | 3,860 |
| 5 | Morristown | $37,620 | $18.09 | -1% | 350 |
| 6 | Kingsport metro incl. Bristol | $37,550 | $18.05 | -1% | 1,400 |
| 7 | Clarksville | $37,320 | $17.94 | -2% | 620 |
| 8 | Johnson City | $37,310 | $17.94 | -2% | 1,390 |
| 9 | Cleveland | $37,130 | $17.85 | -2% | 440 |
| 10 | Jackson | $36,900 | $17.74 | -3% | 1,080 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Tennessee typical pay $37,990
How Tennessee compares with nearby states
Tennessee's CNA pay sits close to several neighboring states. Virginia pays noticeably more, about 14% above Tennessee's figure. North Carolina and Kentucky run close, each about 1% higher. Mississippi and Alabama pay less, 17% and 10% below Tennessee respectively. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so nearby pay is worth knowing.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $37,990 | baseline |
| Virginia | $43,200 | +14% |
| North Carolina | $38,460 | +1% |
| Kentucky | $38,370 | +1% |
| Georgia | $37,680 | -1% |
| Missouri | $37,680 | -1% |
| Arkansas | $34,430 | -9% |
| Alabama | $34,140 | -10% |
| Mississippi | $31,520 | -17% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Tennessee a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in Tennessee sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $37,990 a year, 10% below the national figure, ranking 40th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Tennessee, about 8.2 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. CNA jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. On pay alone, Tennessee ranks below most states, though typical pay here has risen 70% over the past decade.
Summary
Tennessee CNAs typically earn $37,990 a year, or $18.27 an hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025), up 70% over the past decade. Pay runs highest in Nashville and lowest in Jackson, with cost of living shaping much of that gap. For certification requirements, check Tennessee's state registry page; for local figures, see the city pages for Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Tennessee?
- A CNA in Tennessee typically earns **$18.27 an hour**, or about **$37,990 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's roughly 10% below the national figure of $42,260 a year, though pay varies by city and employer.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Tennessee?
- Tennessee CNAs typically earn **$18.27 an hour**. Entry-level positions typically offer around $14.96 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $21.47 an hour, per the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Tennessee?
- Entry-level CNAs in Tennessee typically start around **$14.96 an hour**, or about **$31,110 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay rises with experience, typically reaching $18.27 an hour statewide.
- Which city in Tennessee pays CNAs the most?
- Nashville pays Tennessee's CNAs the most, at **$39,510 a year** ($18.99 an hour), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Chattanooga and Memphis follow closely, while Jackson posts the lowest figure among the state's tracked cities, at $36,900 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Tennessee higher than the national rate?
- No. Tennessee CNAs typically earn **$37,990 a year**, about 10% below the national figure of $42,260, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay.