Psychiatric Nurse salary in Tennessee
A psychiatric nurse in Tennessee earns an estimated $88,420 a year ($42.51/hr) — about 12% below the U.S. average, with most between $72,810 and $101,830. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Psychiatric Nurse — Tennessee
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$88,420
-12% vs nationalHourly
$42.51/hr
- Typical range
- $72,810–$101,830
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $124,600
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $62,490
- Newer nurses
Psychiatric Nurse pay by city in Tennessee
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville | $90,430 | $43.48 |
| Memphis | $88,420 | $42.51 |
| Knoxville | $90,430 | $43.48 |
Psychiatric Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Tennessee compares to states with similar psychiatric nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Tennessee
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects psychiatric nurse pay in Tennessee
Pay below the national median. For a psychiatric 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
The Tennessee figure adjusts the national RN average of $100,480 for local pay levels — a factor of 0.88× (about 12% below the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official Tennessee wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Tennessee, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — 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.
Psychiatric Nurse salary in Tennessee — FAQ
- How much does a psychiatric nurse make in Tennessee?
- A psychiatric nurse in Tennessee earns an estimated $88,420 a year — about $42.51 an hour, with most between $72,810 and $101,830. That's about 12% 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 psychiatric nurses?
- For pay, Tennessee sits about 12% below the national average for psychiatric nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $88,420 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Tennessee pays psychiatric nurses the most?
- Among Tennessee metros we track, Nashville tends to have the highest estimated pay for psychiatric nurses, at roughly $90,430 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Tennessee psychiatric nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a psychiatric nurse is about $100,480 a year, versus an estimated $88,420 in Tennessee — about 12% 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 estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
Tennessee figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.88×).
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national psychiatric nurse pay adjusted for Tennessee. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.