Registered Nurse Salary in Cookeville, TN: $77,499 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Cookeville, TN earns a median $77,499/year (≈ $37.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Cookeville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $84,422 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cookeville, TN, registered nurses can expect a median annual salary of $77,499 in 2026, which reflects a notable divergence from the national median of $102,730 for the same year. The projected salary range for RNs in this area spans from $57,338 at the 10th percentile to $104,680 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a variety of compensation levels based on experience and specialization. These figures are attributed to estimates derived from BLS state-level data and the regional cost of living. Notably, shift differentials significantly impact earnings, especially for those working nights and weekends, which can provide added remuneration that enhances overall compensation, a factor that is uniquely beneficial in Cookeville's job market.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,338 | $27.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,854 | $31.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,499 | $37.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,714 | $42.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,680 | $50.33 |
Median Salary Position
24.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cookeville
In Cookeville, TN, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,342 (2026 est.). At $77,499, the local median is 24.56% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cookeville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cookeville Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Cookeville median: $77,499/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cookeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $81,578 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -24.56% less |
Registered Nurses in Cookeville, TN earn a median of $77,499 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.56% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $81,578.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cookeville 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.
Cookeville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $77,499 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,422 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,297
2025 BLS Actual
$73,591
2026 Current Est.
$77,499
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,297 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,828 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,541 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,272 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,931 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,591 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,499 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,614 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cookeville metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $55,297 (2019) to $73,591 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,614 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,317 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cookeville 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) | $57,338 – $64,854 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,854 – $77,499 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,499 – $87,714 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,714 – $104,680 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Cookeville
The local healthcare job market in Cookeville employs seven registered nurses, a relatively small pool, which may present challenges but also opportunities for those seeking positions. With a cost-of-living index of 91.8, the purchasing power of RNs can be more favorable compared to higher-cost areas, although salaries remain comparatively lower than the national average. Among the highest-paying employers, major hospital systems, particularly those with acute care, ICU, and emergency departments, typically offer the best compensation packages. Factors contributing to the variations in pay range from the added stipends for specialty certifications and charge nurse roles to the significant impact of shift differentials. Those aiming to maximize their registered nurse pay in Cookeville should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles in critical care settings, or taking advantage of travel nursing opportunities that have seen sustained demand following the pandemic.
More salary data for Cookeville, 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 $73,591 for registered nursesin the Cookeville 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 Cookeville 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