How Much Does an RN Make in Bristol, TN in 2026?
Typical pay for RNs in Bristol, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Tennessee.
BLS OES May 2025 · Kingsport · Bristol metro area
A typical RN in Bristol, Tennessee earns $36.89 per hour, or $76,730 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $6,394 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $62,280, and the top 10% of earners make over $100,750.
That pay is 6% below the Tennessee figure of $81,500 and 21% below the national figure of $97,550. Bristol ranks 7th of 10 metro areas in Tennessee for RN pay. About 2,660 RNs work in the Kingsport · Bristol area. Bristol is part of the Kingsport · Bristol metro area, and BLS reports pay for the metro as a whole, so Kingsport share these figures.
RN pay in Bristol at a glance
- Typical pay is $36.89 an hour, or $76,730 a year.
- That is 6% below the Tennessee figure, ranking 7th of 10 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $62,280; the top 10% make over $100,750.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an RN make in Bristol?
Pay in Bristol runs from entry-level positions at around $29.94 an hour to more than $48.44 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Tennessee and national figures.
RN pay by career stage in Bristol
| Career stage | Bristol | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $62,280$29.94 an hour | $63,970$30.76 an hour | $68,940$33.14 an hour |
| First years | $73,420$35.30 an hour | $75,460$36.28 an hour | $80,330$38.62 an hour |
| Typical RN | $76,730$36.89 an hour | $81,500$39.18 an hour | $97,550$46.90 an hour |
| Experienced | $92,270$44.36 an hour | $95,250$45.79 an hour | $112,350$54.02 an hour |
| Top 10% | $100,750$48.44 an hour | $104,920$50.44 an hour | $137,470$66.09 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Kingsport · Bristol area as BLS defines it
How Bristol compares with other Tennessee cities
Franklin pays RNs the most in Tennessee at $84,040 a year, $7,310 more than Bristol. The lowest-paying area in the state is Cleveland at $72,800.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Bristol | RNs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franklin | $84,040 | $40.40 | +10% | 25,100 |
| 2 | Memphis | $81,500 | $39.18 | +6% | 13,760 |
| 3 | Chattanooga | $79,770 | $38.35 | +4% | 6,460 |
| 4 | Clarksville | $79,450 | $38.20 | +4% | 1,670 |
| 5 | Johnson City | $77,660 | $37.34 | +1% | 2,740 |
| 6 | Knoxville | $77,240 | $37.13 | +1% | 9,500 |
| 7 | Bristol metro incl. Kingsport | $76,730 | $36.89 | this city | 2,660 |
| 8 | Morristown | $75,680 | $36.38 | -1% | 710 |
| 9 | Jackson | $75,610 | $36.35 | -1% | 1,930 |
| 10 | Cleveland | $72,800 | $35.00 | -5% | 630 |
Every metro area in Tennessee with RN wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Tennessee typical pay $81,500
Is Bristol a good place to work as an RN?
RNs in Bristol earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $76,730 a year, 21% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Kingsport · Bristol area, about 22 are RN positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 22. RN jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an RN make in Bristol, TN?
- A typical RN in Bristol earns $76,730 a year, or $36.89 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $62,280 and the top 10% earn over $100,750.
- How much does an RN make an hour in Bristol?
- Typical hourly pay for RNs in Bristol is $36.89. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $29.94, and the top 10% earn over $48.44 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an RN in Bristol?
- Entry-level RN positions in Bristol typically offer around $29.94 an hour, or $62,280 a year.
- Is RN pay in Bristol higher than in the rest of Tennessee?
- Bristol pay is 6% below the Tennessee figure of $81,500 a year, ranking 7th of 10 metro areas in the state. Franklin pays the most in Tennessee at $84,040.