Travel Healthcare Jobs Tennessee — Top Cities, Pay Ranges & Specialties

Home » Travel Healthcare Jobs Tennessee — Top Cities, Pay Ranges & Specialties

Travel Healthcare Jobs Tennessee offer some of the best opportunities in the country for travel nurses and allied health professionals.

Tennessee has a way of surprising travel healthcare professionals. You come for the contracts and end up falling for the music, the mountains, and the people. From Nashville’s booming healthcare corridor to Memphis’s world-renowned research hospitals, Tennessee punches well above its weight as a travel destination—and with no state income tax, your paycheck agrees.

Whether you’re a Travel RN, a CT Technologist, a Cath Lab Tech, or any of the 16 specialties we place, Tennessee has facilities that need your skills right now. Let’s walk you through everything—from the best cities and hospitals to pay, licensing, and what to do on your days off.

New to travel healthcare or thinking about making the jump? Check out our guide on how to become a traveling nurse. Already on the road? Head over to Employee Resources for everything you need during your contract.

And don’t forget—you can even refer a friend to become a travel nurse and earn a bonus while you’re at it.

travel healthcare jobs tennessee - Travel nurse arriving at hospital for a travel healthcare assignment in Tennessee

Travel Healthcare Jobs Tennessee: Why Tennessee? More Than Music and Mountains

Tennessee is quietly one of the best states in the country for travel healthcare. Nashville alone is home to over 500 healthcare companies—it’s literally called the Healthcare Capital of America. But it’s not just Nashville. From Memphis to Knoxville to Chattanooga, the entire state has strong hospital systems with consistent demand for travel clinicians.

Here’s why Tennessee keeps showing up on experienced travelers’ short lists:

No state income tax: Just like Texas, Tennessee doesn’t tax your income. That’s a straight boost to your take-home pay—every single week. When you’re stacking travel rates plus stipends plus zero state tax, the numbers get very real very fast.
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state: If you hold a compact nursing license, you can start working in Tennessee without applying for a separate state license. Faster onboarding, less paperwork, more time doing what you actually came here to do.
Top-tier hospital systems: Vanderbilt University Medical Center is one of the premier academic medical centers in the Southeast. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis is world-famous. TriStar Health, CHI Memorial, and the University of Tennessee Medical Center round out a state full of high-quality facilities.
Affordable living with big-city energy: Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville all have vibrant food, music, and outdoor scenes—but the cost of living is significantly lower than comparable cities on the coast. Your stipend goes further here, and you won’t feel like you’re sacrificing quality of life to save money.

Best Cities for Travel Healthcare Jobs in Tennessee

Nashville — The Healthcare Capital of America

Nashville isn’t just the home of country music—it’s the headquarters of the healthcare industry. HCA Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospital chain in the country, is based here. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is a top-ranked academic facility. TriStar Health operates multiple campuses across the metro. If you’re an ICU Travel RN, an OR Travel Nurse, or a Surgical First Assistant, Nashville has more opportunities than you can shake a guitar pick at.

And then there’s the city itself. Broadway’s honky-tonks, hot chicken that’ll change your life, and a creative energy that draws people from all over the world. Nashville is one of those assignments where travelers show up for 13 weeks and end up extending for a year.

Memphis — World-Class Research and Deep Roots

Memphis is home to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital—one of the most respected pediatric research institutions on the planet. If you’re a Pediatric ER Travel RN or a Radiology Tech, working in Memphis means being part of something truly meaningful. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Baptist Memorial Health Care are also major employers with consistent travel openings.

Memphis has soul—literally. Beale Street, Sun Studio, the National Civil Rights Museum, and some of the best barbecue you’ll ever eat. The cost of living is lower than Nashville, and the city has a rhythm all its own. It’s not flashy, but it’s real.

Knoxville — Gateway to the Smokies

Knoxville sits at the doorstep of Great Smoky Mountains National Park—the most visited national park in the country. The University of Tennessee Medical Center is a Level I trauma center and the primary teaching hospital for the region. Covenant Health also operates multiple facilities in the area. If you’re a ER Travel Nurse, a Travel Echo Tech, or a Cath Lab Tech, Knoxville is a strong market.

The city itself has a growing food scene, a lively downtown centered around Market Square, and easy access to hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking. If you love the outdoors, Knoxville might be your ideal assignment.

Chattanooga — Scenic City With Growing Healthcare

Chattanooga has been on a roll over the past decade—revitalizing its downtown, investing in healthcare infrastructure, and earning its nickname as the Scenic City. CHI Memorial Hospital is the major facility here, and Erlanger Health System serves as the region’s academic medical center. If you’re a Travel Cath Lab RN or a Sterile Processing Travel Tech, Chattanooga offers solid contracts with a quality of life that’s hard to beat.

Lookout Mountain, the Tennessee Aquarium, and some of the best rock climbing in the Southeast are all right here. Chattanooga also has one of the fastest internet speeds in the country—if that matters to you on your days off (and let’s be honest, it probably does).

Specialties in Demand Across Tennessee

Tennessee facilities are hiring across both nursing and allied health specialties. Here’s what’s in demand right now:

Nursing:

Allied Health:

What’s the Pay Like for Travel Healthcare in Tennessee?

Tennessee hits a sweet spot that’s hard to find—competitive pay rates combined with no state income tax and a cost of living that won’t eat your stipend alive. Nashville is a bit pricier than the rest of the state, but even there, you’re looking at housing costs well below what you’d pay in comparable cities like Denver or Seattle.

Here’s a general breakdown of what travel clinicians can expect on 13-week contracts in Tennessee:

Travel RN (ICU, ER, OR): $1,800–$2,500/week depending on specialty, experience, and facility
Cath Lab RN / CVOR RN: $2,000–$2,700/week
Allied Health (Rad Tech, CT Tech, Echo Tech, Cath Lab Tech): $1,600–$2,300/week
Sterile Processing Tech: $1,400–$1,900/week
Nurse Practitioner: $2,200–$3,000/week

Pay varies by facility, shift, and experience level. Ranges reflect typical market rates and include base pay plus housing and meal stipends. Actual compensation is determined during assignment placement.

On top of your weekly pay, Junxion Med Staffing travel clinicians get the full package—health insurance, housing stipends, travel reimbursements, 401(k), and referral bonuses. Know someone who’d be a good fit? Send them our way and get paid for it.

Competitive compensation is one of the top reasons clinicians choose travel healthcare jobs tennessee over permanent positions. With housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and premium hourly rates, Tennessee assignments consistently rank among the most rewarding in the Midwest.

Travel healthcare professional enjoying time off in Tennessee

Things to Do in Tennessee on Your Days Off

Tennessee might be the best state in the country for days off. Between the music, the mountains, the food, and the whiskey, you’ll never be bored. Here’s what travel clinicians love:

Broadway honky-tonks (Nashville): Live music pouring out of every door, cold drinks, and an energy that’s hard to describe until you’re standing in it. Even if country music isn’t your thing, Broadway has a way of converting people.
Beale Street (Memphis): The birthplace of blues. Live music, neon signs, and some of the best soul food you’ll ever taste. Pair it with a visit to Sun Studio where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The most visited national park in America, and it’s right in Tennessee’s backyard. Hiking trails for every skill level, stunning fall foliage, and black bears if you’re lucky. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are at the park’s doorstep.
Lookout Mountain (Chattanooga): Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railway—the views from the top stretch across seven states on a clear day. It’s one of those places that makes you stop and just take it in.
Dollywood (Pigeon Forge): Dolly Parton’s theme park in the foothills of the Smokies. Roller coasters, live shows, Southern food, and a surprisingly good time even if theme parks aren’t usually your thing.
Jack Daniel’s Distillery (Lynchburg): The oldest registered distillery in the United States, tucked into a small Tennessee town. Tours, tastings, and a piece of American history. Even if you don’t drink, the tour is worth the drive.

For even more ideas on what to do on your days off, check out Tennessee Vacation.

Licensing and Credentialing in Tennessee

Good news: Tennessee is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you hold a compact RN license from another member state, you can start working in Tennessee without applying for a new license. For allied health professionals, credentialing requirements vary by facility, but Junxion handles the paperwork so you can focus on patient care.

Nashville’s large healthcare systems have streamlined onboarding processes, and most travel clinicians can expect to be cleared within 7–14 business days. Smaller facilities outside the major metros may move even faster. Junxion’s credentialing team keeps the process moving so you’re not sitting around waiting.

Allied health travel workers at a Tennessee hospital

Why Junxion for Tennessee Assignments?

At Junxion Med Staffing, we specialize in placing travel nurses and allied health professionals at top facilities across Tennessee. We’re a boutique agency—which means you get a named recruiter who actually knows the Tennessee market, not a call center. We handle credentialing, housing stipends, and facility introductions so you can show up ready to work.

Whether you want a high-volume assignment in Nashville, a research-focused role in Memphis, or a mountain-town lifestyle in Knoxville, our team will match you with the right facility, the right specialty, and the right city. That’s what we do—it’s kind of our thing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Healthcare in Tennessee

These are the most common questions we hear from clinicians exploring travel healthcare jobs tennessee. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned pro, these answers will help you plan your next Tennessee assignment.

What is the average pay for travel nurses in Tennessee?

Travel nurse pay in Tennessee typically ranges from $1,800 to $2,700 per week depending on specialty, experience, and facility. Cath Lab, CVOR, and ICU specialties tend to be on the higher end. And with no state income tax, your take-home pay stretches further than in most states.

What are the best cities for travel healthcare jobs in Tennessee?

Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are the top markets. Nashville is the healthcare industry hub with the most volume, while Memphis offers world-class research facilities.

Do I need a Tennessee nursing license to work as a travel nurse?

If you hold a compact (NLC) nursing license, you can work in Tennessee without an additional state license. If your home state is not part of the compact, you’ll need to apply for a Tennessee license through the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

Does Tennessee have state income tax?

No. Tennessee does not tax earned income. This is a significant financial advantage for travel healthcare professionals—your weekly pay goes further here than in most other states.

What allied health specialties are in demand in Tennessee?

Tennessee facilities are actively hiring Radiology Techs, CT Technologists, Echo Techs, Cath Lab Techs, Sterile Processing Techs, Surgical First Assistants, and Endoscopy Technicians. Nashville’s large healthcare presence and the state’s growing population keep allied health demand strong year-round.

Whether you’re actively searching for travel healthcare jobs tennessee or just starting to explore your options, Junxion Med Staffing can help you find the right assignment. Browse our open Tennessee positions or talk to a recruiter today about travel healthcare jobs tennessee that match your specialty and experience.

Explore More States

Looking for opportunities nearby? Junxion Med Staffing places travel nurses and allied health professionals across the country. Check out opportunities in these states:

Ready to explore travel healthcare jobs in Tennessee? Talk to a Junxion recruiter today and let’s find your next assignment.

Exploring other states? Junxion also has travel healthcare jobs in Texas, North Carolina, Indiana, and Arizona.

Ready to take the next step? Junxion Med Staffing specializes in travel healthcare jobs tennessee across all 16 of our specialties. Browse open positions or contact our team to get started today.

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