Registered Nurse Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $84,006 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $84,006/year (≈ $40.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $91,846 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Registered nurses in Chattanooga, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $84,006 in 2026, showcasing a competitive option for those considering a career in healthcare. The effective compensation typically ranges from $68,609 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $108,396 at the higher end (90th percentile), reflecting a diverse salary landscape driven by factors like experience, specialty, and shifts worked. These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. The combination of evening and weekend shifts provides numerous opportunities for registered nurse pay in Chattanooga, enhancing overall earnings potential when factoring in shift differentials for those willing to work less traditional hours.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,609 | $32.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,815 | $39.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,006 | $40.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,686 | $47.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,396 | $52.12 |
Median Salary Position
18.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,787 (2026 est.). At $84,006, the local median is 18.23% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chattanooga Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $84,006/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $81,559 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -18.23% less |
Registered Nurses in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $84,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.23% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.00% above the Tennessee state average of $81,559.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $84,006 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,846 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,780
2025 BLS Actual
$79,770
2026 Current Est.
$84,006
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,006 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,466 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 35.7% from $58,780 (2019) to $79,770 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,466 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,686 (50.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,609 – $81,815 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,815 – $84,006 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,006 – $98,686 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,686 – $108,396 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Chattanooga
With around 6,460 registered nurses employed in the area, the local job market remains robust, which positively impacts salary negotiations. Chattanooga’s cost of living index stands at 91.464, making it relatively affordable compared to the national average, which allows registered nurses to enjoy a better purchasing power compared to unrealistic pay scales in higher cost-of-living areas. Within the city, hospital systems often lead in compensation levels, especially those with Magnet status, as they tend to prioritize credentialed nurses and offer specialty certification stipends. Pay differences can also arise based on the setting, with ICU and emergency department positions typically offering higher compensation due to the complexity and stress of the roles compared to general floor assignments. Strategies to maximize pay include seeking evening and weekend shifts that often come with significant differentials, pursuing specialty certifications through organizations like the ANA or AACN, and exploring travel nursing opportunities that can enhance earnings in Chattanooga's competitive market.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $79,770 for registered nursesin the Chattanooga metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov