Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Tennessee: $226,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $226,474/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $246,704 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Memphis ($243,240), Chattanooga ($220,371), Smyrna ($219,533).
For nurse anesthetists in Tennessee, the projected average median salary in 2026 is $226,474, which is about 9.0% lower than the national median salary of $248,893. The highest-paying city is Memphis, with a projected salary of $255,888, while Jackson offers the lowest at $200,900, indicating a salary gap of $54,988 between these cities. Factors driving this disparity include local demand for healthcare services, cost of living variations, and the presence of healthcare institutions. In Tennessee, nurse anesthetists enjoy a supportive environment due to the state's favorable licensing requirements and an extensive scope of practice laws, enabling them to perform a wide range of anesthesia-related tasks autonomously. The job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.20%, reflecting increasing demand in various healthcare settings. With a total of 1,618 nurse anesthetists employed across the state and top cities such as Chattanooga, Smyrna, Johnson City, and Bartlett offering competitive salaries ranging from $229,792 to $231,830, the outlook for this profession remains strong. Tennessee's evolving healthcare landscape is likely to sustain this growth trajectory and enhance job opportunities for nurse anesthetists.
Tennessee Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $141,442 (lowest entry-level) to $347,818 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee nurse anesthetists earn 9.01% less than the national median ($-22,419/year difference).
Tennessee Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Tennessee range from $161,649 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $299,089 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $226,474. The Tennessee median is $22,419 below the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $108.88/hr. Approximately 1,618 nurse anesthetists are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$159,105
2025 BLS Actual
$215,279
2026 Current Est.
$226,474
2019–2027 Growth
+49.7%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $159,105 | Actual |
| 2020 | $168,305 | Actual |
| 2021 | $166,845 | Actual |
| 2022 | $175,345 | Actual |
| 2023 | $190,017 | Actual |
| 2024 | $201,062 | Actual |
| 2025 | $215,279 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $226,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $238,250 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.3% from $159,105 (2019) to $215,279 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $238,250 by 2027 — a total increase of $79,145 (49.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $200,900 |
| Tullahoma | $211,107 |
| Sevierville | $215,712 |
| Maryville | $216,957 |
| Cookeville | $217,099 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $255,888 | 92.179 | $277,599 |
| Chattanooga | $231,830 | 91.8 | $252,538 |
| Smyrna | $230,949 | 91.8 | $251,578 |
| Johnson City | $230,134 | 91.8 | $250,691 |
| Bartlett | $229,792 | 91.8 | $250,318 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $161,649 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $226,474 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $299,089 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $255,888 |
| 2 | Chattanooga | $231,830 |
| 3 | Smyrna | $230,949 |
| 4 | Johnson City | $230,134 |
| 5 | Bartlett | $229,792 |
| 6 | Collierville | $228,995 |
| 7 | Spring Hill | $227,239 |
| 8 | Kingsport | $227,131 |
| 9 | Morristown | $226,248 |
| 10 | Clarksville | $225,959 |
| 11 | Knoxville | $225,023 |
| 12 | Lebanon | $224,192 |
| 13 | Oak Ridge | $224,174 |
| 14 | Cleveland | $223,163 |
| 15 | Columbia | $222,666 |
| 16 | Nashville | $222,445 |
| 17 | Germantown | $222,383 |
| 18 | Hendersonville | $221,937 |
| 19 | Gallatin | $221,549 |
| 20 | Brentwood | $220,397 |
| 21 | Franklin | $219,767 |
| 22 | Shelbyville | $218,683 |
| 23 | Mount Juliet | $218,677 |
| 24 | Murfreesboro | $218,504 |
| 25 | La Vergne | $218,216 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $217,099 |
| 27 | Maryville | $216,957 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $215,712 |
| 29 | Tullahoma | $211,107 |
| 30 | Jackson | $200,900 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Tennessee?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA
Career Analyst
Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov