Registered Nurse Salary in Johnson City, TN: $81,784 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Johnson City, TN earns a median $81,784/year (≈ $39.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $93,012 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a registered nurse in Johnson City, TN can expect a median annual salary of $81,784, which is significantly lower than the national median of $102,730. The salary range for these positions spans from $64,639 at the 10th percentile to $124,024 at the 90th percentile. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, providing insights into the compensation landscape for registered nurses in this region. Notably, the difference in pay between traveling nurses and staff nurses creates a structural divide, influencing overall nurse salaries and job stability in Johnson City.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,639 | $31.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,907 | $36.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,784 | $39.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,245 | $49.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,024 | $59.63 |
Median Salary Position
20.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,385 (2026 est.). At $81,784, the local median is 20.39% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnson City Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $81,784/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $81,539 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -20.39% less |
Registered Nurses in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $81,784 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.39% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 0.30% above the Tennessee state average of $81,539.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $81,784 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,012 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,530
2025 BLS Actual
$77,660
2026 Current Est.
$81,784
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,784 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,126 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 30.5% from $59,530 (2019) to $77,660 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,126 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,596 (44.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $64,639 – $75,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,907 – $81,784 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,784 – $102,245 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,245 – $124,024 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Johnson City
With approximately 2,740 registered nurses employed in the area, the job market remains robust despite the lower wages compared to national averages. The cost of living index in Johnson City stands at 87.928, indicating that while salaries are lower, the purchasing power for these RNs may be comparatively favorable in this market. Major employers include hospital systems and surgical specialty centers that often offer the highest pay, particularly in critical care roles like the ICU and emergency departments. The variation in nurse compensation typically results from factors such as shift differentials, specialty certifications, and pay scales associated with hospital magnet status. To maximize earning potential in Johnson City, registered nurses should consider seeking additional certifications or pursuing shifts in higher-demand areas, as such steps can significantly enhance their pay and career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Johnson City, 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 $77,660 for registered nursesin the Johnson City 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