Registered Nurse Salary in Cleveland, TN: $76,666 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Cleveland, TN earns a median $76,666/year (≈ $36.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.1), that paycheck buys what $87,041 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Registered nurses in Cleveland, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $76,666 in 2026, highlighting an attractive compensation package in a competitive healthcare job market. The salary range stretches from $59,205 at the lower end to $83,964 at the higher end, indicating considerable variation based on experience and specialty. This analysis is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. The city’s communities and hospitals often offer additional pay incentives for shifts worked during nights or weekends, enhancing effective compensation for registered nurses. Cleveland's healthcare sector remains robust, with opportunities for growth amidst a developing need for qualified nursing professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,205 | $28.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,666 | $36.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,666 | $36.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,950 | $37.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,964 | $40.37 |
Median Salary Position
25.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, TN, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,759 (2026 est.). At $76,666, the local median is 25.37% below the national median of $102,730.
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At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be above the median
How Cleveland Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $76,666/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $81,559 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -25.37% less |
Registered Nurses in Cleveland, TN earn a median of $76,666 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.37% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 6.00% below the Tennessee state average of $81,559.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 11.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, TN has a cost-of-living index of 88.08 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $76,666 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,041 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,690
2025 BLS Actual
$72,800
2026 Current Est.
$76,666
2019–2027 Growth
+50.4%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,666 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,737 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 35.6% from $53,690 (2019) to $72,800 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,737 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,047 (50.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $59,205 – $76,666 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,666 – $76,666 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,666 – $77,950 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,950 – $83,964 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Cleveland
Looking at the broader economic context, 630 registered nurses are currently employed in Cleveland, making it a vital market for skilled healthcare workers. The cost of living index stands at 88.08, which is below the national average, thus making the purchasing power of a registered nurse's salary in Cleveland more favorable. Key employers, including local hospitals and specialty clinics, are among the best-paying options available, especially for those willing to work in acute care settings like the ICU or ED. Shift differentials can significantly enhance pay, as nights typically offer an additional $3-7/hour, while weekend shifts provide an added $3-5. In addition, earning specialty certifications can pave the way for higher wages, making it imperative for aspiring nurses to strategize their career development effectively. Understanding these dynamics is essential for maximizing registered nurse pay in Cleveland, TN.
More salary data for Cleveland, 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 $72,800 for registered nursesin the Cleveland 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