Registered Nurse Salary in Columbia, TN: $79,486 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Columbia, TN earns a median $79,486/year (≈ $38.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $86,586 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for registered nurses in Columbia, TN, is $79,486. This figure reflects a notable gap when compared to the national median of $102,730, indicating a variance of approximately 22.63%. Registered nurses in the area can expect a spectrum of earnings, with salaries ranging from $55,546 at the 10th percentile to $111,238 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, informed by state-level data and regional price adjustments, highlight the economic structure of the local healthcare environment. Columbia's registered nursing market is uniquely positioned with a relatively small cohort of only 10 employed nurses, emphasizing potential competition and opportunities within the job landscape, especially as travel nursing remains prevalent.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,546 | $26.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,107 | $30.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,486 | $38.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,322 | $44.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,238 | $53.48 |
Median Salary Position
22.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, TN, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,692 (2026 est.). At $79,486, the local median is 22.63% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Columbia median: $79,486/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $81,524 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -22.63% less |
Registered Nurses in Columbia, TN earn a median of $79,486 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.63% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 2.50% below the Tennessee state average of $81,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $79,486 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,586 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,715
2025 BLS Actual
$75,478
2026 Current Est.
$79,486
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,715 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,286 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,042 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,843 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,596 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,519 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,478 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,486 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $56,715 (2019) to $75,478 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,992 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $55,546 – $64,107 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,107 – $79,486 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,486 – $92,322 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,322 – $111,238 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Columbia
The local job market is significantly influenced by the cost of living index, which stands at 91.8—below the national average. This lower index can enhance the purchasing power of registered nurse pay in Columbia, TN, allowing nurses to stretch their earnings further. Hospitals and health systems within this region, particularly those with magnet status, typically offer higher compensation and may provide additional incentives such as differential pay for evening or weekend shifts, further widening the earnings gap based on work assignments. Registered nurses looking to maximize their income can consider specialty certifications, taking charge nurse roles, or pursuing positions in high-demand areas like the ICU and emergency departments. Engaging with local employers, specializing, and being open to shift differentials can significantly impact overall earnings, making it a strategic approach for those navigating the nursing field in Columbia.
More salary data for Columbia, 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 $75,478 for registered nursesin the Columbia 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
Salary data for Columbia is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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