How Much Does an NP Make in Tennessee in 2026?

A typical nurse practitioner in Tennessee earns about $56.54 per hour ($117,590 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that comes to roughly $9,799 a month and $2,261 a week. Those figures represent typical pay across the state, before accounting for city or experience differences.

That pay sits 11% below the national figure of $132,300 a year, and Tennessee ranks 50th out of 51 states and D.C. for NP pay. About 12,150 nurse practitioners work in the state, a workforce large enough to shape the local market. Lower pay in Tennessee generally tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states.

Entry-level positions in Tennessee typically offer around $39.81 an hour, or about $82,790 a year. Nurse practitioners in these roles are often newly licensed or working in lower-paying settings. Pay typically rises toward the state's typical figure of $117,590 within the first several years of practice.

Experienced nurse practitioners in Tennessee often earn upwards of $62.66 an hour, and the top 10% make over $137,880 a year. That leaves a $55,090 spread between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part, with specialty clinics and larger metro areas generally paying more than rural practices.

Tennessee's typical NP pay has climbed from $91,990 in 2015 to $117,590 in 2025, a gain of $25,600. That amounts to a 28% rise over the decade. The increase has been steady rather than sudden, with pay climbing most years along the way rather than in a single jump.

Nationally, NP pay rose 35% over the same decade, a faster pace than Tennessee's climb. Pay for nurse practitioners in the state has moved up substantially and consistently since 2015. For someone entering the field now, that history shows steady gains, though it does not guarantee future increases.

Pay runs highest in Memphis, where nurse practitioners typically earn $124,600 a year ($59.91 an hour) across the metro area, about 6% above the statewide figure. Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Davidson follow closely behind, each with a metro-area figure of $122,320 a year, or $58.81 an hour. These city figures cover each metro area as a whole, not just the city limits.

At the other end, Johnson City pays the least, with typical NP pay of $102,430 a year ($49.25 an hour), a $22,170 spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in the state. Franklin has the largest NP workforce among Tennessee cities, with about 4,540 nurse practitioners. The pay differences generally track differences in local living costs rather than any other factor.

Among neighboring states, Missouri pays the most, with NPs there earning $129,930 a year, about 10% above Tennessee's figure; Georgia and North Carolina run close behind at similar levels. Alabama pays less, with typical NP pay of $105,750 a year, about 10% below Tennessee. Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Virginia all pay somewhat more than Tennessee as well. Nurse practitioner licenses can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can make comparing these figures useful for those considering a move.

Nurse practitioners in Tennessee typically earn $117,590 a year, pay that has climbed 28% over the past decade. That growth has been steady rather than sudden, tracking a national trend of rising NP pay. Readers weighing a move or a new license should check Tennessee's state licensing and registry requirements, and look at city-level pages for local figures in places like Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville.