Registered Nurse Salary

Knoxville vs Tullahoma: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Knoxville, TN
$81,341
$39.10/hr
Tullahoma, TN
$75,360
$36.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNTullahoma, TN
Median Salary$81,341$75,360
Hourly Rate$39.10$36.23
Entry Level (P10)$60,100$57,966
25th Percentile$75,349$62,675
75th Percentile$87,407$84,146
Top Earner (P90)$102,530$99,300
Total Employed9,5004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($81,341) and Tullahoma ($75,360) registered nurse salaries.KnoxvilleTullahomaMedian Salary$81,341$75,360Entry Level (P10)$60,100$57,966Top Earner (P90)$102,530$99,300US Median $102,730

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Knoxville and Tullahoma is $5,981 (7.94%). Knoxville's median is -20.82% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $42,430,Tullahoma spans $41,334. Knoxville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$60,100
P25$75,349
Median$81,341
P75$87,407
P90 (Top)$102,530
Tullahoma
P10 (Entry)$57,966
P25$62,675
Median$75,360
P75$84,146
P90 (Top)$99,300

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($87,871 effective) pays 7.04% more than Tullahoma ($82,092 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $81,341
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $87,871
Tullahoma
Nominal: $75,360
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $82,092

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,341/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,530)
  • Larger job market (9,500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,871)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Tullahoma if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Knoxville grew 32.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.8% growth in Tullahoma over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+32.5%

$58,280 (2019) → $77,240 (2025)

Tullahoma, TN

+18.8%

$60,221 (2024) → $71,560 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Knoxville or Tullahoma?

Knoxville has a higher median registered nurse salary at $81,341/year, compared to Tullahoma at $75,360/year — a difference of $5,981 (7.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Tullahoma?

Knoxville registered nurses earn $39.10/hr while Tullahoma hygienists earn $36.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Tullahoma as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Tullahoma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $87,871, Tullahoma = $82,092), job availability (9,500 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Knoxville vs Tullahoma?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $60,100 in Knoxville and $57,966 in Tullahoma. The Knoxville 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