ER Travel Nurse Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Emergency Room travel nurses heading to Knoxville.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ER)
$49/hr
Knoxville, TN
Total Weekly Package
$3,371
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,900
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ER in Knoxville
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$4,001/mo
$132/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 88.5
Monthly Margin
+3,001/mo
Stipend covers rent
Tennessee ER Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ER travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,964
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,407
Annual Potential
$102,109
Tax estimate: No state tax + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ER Pay in Knoxville
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Knoxville's GSA rates and cost of living index of 88.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
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Same state assignment. You'll pay no state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$71.53
Based on 36 hours in TN.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,575
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,476
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$354
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,221
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,870
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$57,740
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$115,480
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,221
per week
Taxes
$354
per week
Total Gross: $2,575 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Tennessee
$1,000
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$1,970
Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,000/month in Nashville:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Tennessee
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Tennessee's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.0 points.
💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.
Housing Cost: Low
Utilities: Low
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Knoxville
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ER travel nurses working in Knoxville. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$132/night
$924/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,407
Tax-free stipend ceiling
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.
Requirements for ER Travel Nurses in Tennessee
ER Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years ER experience
- TNCC preferred
Tennessee Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ER Travel Nurses in Knoxville
- University of Tennessee Medical Center
- Covenant Health
- Fort Sanders Regional
Other Specialties in Knoxville
ICU
~$50/hr
Very HighOR
~$51/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$47/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$44/hr
Very HighPACU
~$48/hr
HighNICU
~$49/hr
HighPICU
~$50/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$46/hr
HighOther Tennessee Cities for ER Travel Nurses
Chattanooga
~$48/hr ER
COL: 85.2
Memphis
~$47/hr ER
COL: 84.2
Murfreesboro
~$40/hr ER
COL: 95
Nashville
~$49/hr ER
COL: 101.3
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ER travel nurses make in Knoxville?
Emergency Room travel nurses in Knoxville earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,964/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,407/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,371. Annual potential is $102,109 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Knoxville?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Knoxville are: Lodging $132/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,407. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Knoxville affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Knoxville is 88.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$4,001/month, leaving a surplus of $3,001/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ER travel nurses need for Tennessee assignments?
Emergency Room travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, PALS, 2+ years ER experience, TNCC preferred. For Tennessee specifically: Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Knoxville without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Knoxville hire ER travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Knoxville that hire Emergency Room travel nurses include: University of Tennessee Medical Center, Covenant Health, Fort Sanders Regional. ER is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Knoxville actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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