Registered Nurse Salary

Germantown vs Nashville: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare registered nurse salaries between Germantown, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Germantown, TN
$79,385
$38.16/hr
Nashville, TN
$88,503
$42.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGermantown, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$79,385$88,503
Hourly Rate$38.16$42.55
Entry Level (P10)$55,308$73,169
25th Percentile$68,739$85,965
75th Percentile$91,965$109,049
Top Earner (P90)$111,096$117,979
Total Employed825,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Germantown ($79,385) and Nashville ($88,503) registered nurse salaries.GermantownNashvilleMedian Salary$79,385$88,503Entry Level (P10)$55,308$73,169Top Earner (P90)$111,096$117,979US Median $102,730

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Germantown.

The salary gap between Germantown and Nashville is $9,118 (11.49%). Nashville's median is -13.85% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Germantown spans $55,788,Nashville spans $44,810. Germantown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Germantown
P10 (Entry)$55,308
P25$68,739
Median$79,385
P75$91,965
P90 (Top)$111,096
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$73,169
P25$85,965
Median$88,503
P75$109,049
P90 (Top)$117,979

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($91,867 effective) pays 6.23% more than Germantown ($86,476 effective).

Germantown
Nominal: $79,385
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $86,476
Nashville
Nominal: $88,503
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $91,867

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Germantown if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,503/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,979)
  • Larger job market (25,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,867)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Germantown grew 18.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.2% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Germantown, TN

+18.8%

$63,438 (2024) → $75,382 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+31.2%

$64,050 (2019) → $84,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Germantown or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median registered nurse salary at $88,503/year, compared to Germantown at $79,385/year — a difference of $9,118 (11.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Germantown and Nashville?

Germantown registered nurses earn $38.16/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $42.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Germantown to Nashville as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Germantown and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Germantown = $86,476, Nashville = $91,867), job availability (8 vs 25,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Germantown vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $55,308 in Germantown and $73,169 in Nashville. The Nashville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, RN, MSNData verified by Carlos Gomez, RN, DNP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov