Nurse Practitioner Salary in Tennessee: $117,590 Median (May 2025)
Nurse practitioners in Tennessee earn a median of $117,590 per year — $56.54 an hour — $14,710 below the national NP median of $132,300, ranking #50 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Tennessee NPs earn between $82,790 and $137,880. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Tennessee NP pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Tennessee NPs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New NPs typically start near the left edge.
NP vs RN Pay in Tennessee
The median NP in Tennessee out-earns the median RN by $36,090 per year (44%). Same state, same license underneath — the difference is the graduate degree and the scope that comes with it.
Compare Tennessee With Any State
Weighing a move, telehealth, or a compact-state license? Put Tennessee side by side with any other NP market.
| May 2025 BLS | Tennessee | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $117,590 | $131,670 |
| Median hourly wage | $56.54/hr | $63.31/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $82,790 | $96,880 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $130,330 | $147,660 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $137,880 | $161,980 |
| NPs employed | 12,150 | 25,970 |
The NP path starts with an RN license
Every NP passed the NCLEX first. If you’re earlier on the ladder: compare Tennessee’s board-approved nursing programs by real first-time pass rates, and see the full earning ladder from CNA to CRNA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Tennessee?
NPs in Tennessee earn a median of $117,590 per year — $56.54 per hour — $14,710 below the national NP median of $132,300 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Tennessee #50 of 51 states and D.C. by median NP pay.
How much more do NPs make than RNs in Tennessee?
The median NP in Tennessee earns $117,590 versus $81,500 for the median RN — a difference of $36,090 per year (44%). The step up requires a master's or doctoral NP program on top of the RN license.
What is a starting NP salary in Tennessee?
New NPs generally start near the lower percentiles: in Tennessee, the 10th percentile is $82,790 and the 25th percentile is $102,640. Most NPs move toward the $117,590 median within their first several years of practice.
How many nurse practitioners work in Tennessee?
12,150 nurse practitioners are employed in Tennessee per the BLS May 2025 estimates.