Registered Nurse Salary in Shelbyville, TN: $78,064 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Shelbyville, TN earns a median $78,064/year (≈ $37.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Shelbyville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $85,037 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Shelbyville, TN, the 2026 median annual salary for registered nurses is estimated at $78,064, reflecting a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $102,730. The local salary range extends from $58,090 to $103,380, suggesting that while opportunities exist for high earnings, the majority of RNs in the area may earn less than their counterparts in higher-paying markets. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight a labor market where travel nurses and staffing agencies often offer higher compensation than traditional hospital employment. As local healthcare systems strive to attract and retain talent, the structural divide between staff positions and travel nursing assignments continues to influence pay scales in Shelbyville.
About the Shelbyville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,264 | $31.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,064 | $37.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,485 | $42.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,380 | $49.71 |
Median Salary Position
24.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shelbyville
In Shelbyville, TN, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,290 (2026 est.). At $78,064, the local median is 24.01% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shelbyville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shelbyville Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Shelbyville median: $78,064/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shelbyville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $81,572 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -24.01% less |
Registered Nurses in Shelbyville, TN earn a median of $78,064 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.01% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 4.30% below the Tennessee state average of $81,572.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shelbyville 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.
Shelbyville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $78,064 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,037 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,700
2025 BLS Actual
$74,128
2026 Current Est.
$78,064
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Shelbyville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,243 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,968 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,719 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,404 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,382 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,128 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,064 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,209 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shelbyville metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $55,700 (2019) to $74,128 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,209 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,509 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shelbyville 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) | $58,090 – $65,264 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,264 – $78,064 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,064 – $87,485 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,485 – $103,380 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Shelbyville
For registered nurses contemplating employment in Shelbyville, the job market appears modest, with only four RNs currently employed in the area. The local cost-of-living index stands at 91.8, which equates to a lower purchasing power compared to many other regions. Those seeking the highest wages may find opportunities in specialized roles within hospital systems, particularly in acute care settings like ICU and ED, where higher pay rates are common. Factors influencing salary variance include shift differentials, which can add $3-7 per hour for night shifts and $3-5 for weekends, along with incentives for certifications and charge nurse roles. To optimize earnings in this market, RNs should consider pursuing advanced specialty certifications from recognized bodies and may benefit from flexibility in scheduling to maximize on-call hours and differential pay options.
More salary data for Shelbyville, 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 $74,128 for registered nursesin the Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville 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