NICU Nurse salary in Tennessee
A nicu nurse in Tennessee earns an estimated $89,650 a year ($43.10/hr) — about 16% below the U.S. average, with most between $83,010 and $104,780. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
NICU Nurse — Tennessee
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$89,650
-16% vs nationalHourly
$43.10/hr
- Typical range
- $83,010–$104,780
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $115,410
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $70,370
- Newer nurses
NICU Nurse pay by city in Tennessee
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville | $92,440 | $44.44 |
| Memphis | $89,650 | $43.10 |
| Knoxville | $84,960 | $40.85 |
NICU Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Tennessee compares to states with similar nicu nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Tennessee
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects nicu nurse pay in Tennessee
Pay below the national median. For a nicu nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
Public wage data does not report NICU Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in Tennessee (May 2025) and applies a 1.10× specialty adjustment.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. Treat it as a starting point — not an official Tennessee wage.
Source year: 2025. Based on the national figure of $107,310 for this role.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Tennessee, based on national pay and local pay levels — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Tennessee make this page more precise over time.
NICU Nurse salary in Tennessee — FAQ
- How much does a nicu nurse make in Tennessee?
- A nicu nurse in Tennessee earns an estimated $89,650 a year — about $43.10 an hour, with most between $83,010 and $104,780. That's about 16% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Tennessee's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Tennessee a good state for nicu nurses?
- For pay, Tennessee sits about 16% below the national average for nicu nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $89,650 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Tennessee pays nicu nurses the most?
- Among Tennessee metros we track, Nashville tends to have the highest estimated pay for nicu nurses, at roughly $92,440 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Tennessee nicu nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a nicu nurse is about $107,310 a year, versus an estimated $89,650 in Tennessee — about 16% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled specialty estimate (BLS state wage × specialty adjustment)
Public wage data does not report NICU Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in Tennessee (May 2025) and applies a 1.10× specialty adjustment.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national nicu nurse pay adjusted for Tennessee. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.