Dialysis Technician Salary

Chattanooga vs Nashville: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

Compare dialysis technician salaries between Chattanooga, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chattanooga, TN
$42,753
$20.55/hr
Nashville, TN
$53,180
$25.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChattanooga, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$42,753$53,180
Hourly Rate$20.55$25.57
Entry Level (P10)$34,011$36,670
25th Percentile$34,678$43,943
75th Percentile$72,727$67,294
Top Earner (P90)$93,545$105,828
Total Employed90370
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chattanooga ($42,753) and Nashville ($53,180) dialysis technician salaries.ChattanoogaNashvilleMedian Salary$42,753$53,180Entry Level (P10)$34,011$36,670Top Earner (P90)$93,545$105,828US Median $45,322

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for dialysis technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chattanooga.

The salary gap between Chattanooga and Nashville is $10,427 (24.39%). Nashville's median is +17.34% compared to the US national median of $45,322.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chattanooga spans $59,534,Nashville spans $69,158. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dialysis technicians.

Chattanooga
P10 (Entry)$34,011
P25$34,678
Median$42,753
P75$72,727
P90 (Top)$93,545
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$36,670
P25$43,943
Median$53,180
P75$67,294
P90 (Top)$105,828

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($55,201 effective) pays 18.10% more than Chattanooga ($46,743 effective).

Chattanooga
Nominal: $42,753
CoL Index: 91.464
Adjusted: $46,743
Nashville
Nominal: $53,180
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $55,201

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chattanooga if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,180/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,828)
  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,201)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dialysis technician salaries in Chattanooga grew 14.9% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 3.3% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Chattanooga, TN

+14.9%

$36,330 (2021) → $41,747 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+3.3%

$50,260 (2021) → $51,929 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: Chattanooga or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $53,180/year, compared to Chattanooga at $42,753/year — a difference of $10,427 (24.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chattanooga and Nashville?

Chattanooga dialysis technicians earn $20.55/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $25.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chattanooga to Nashville as a dialysis technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chattanooga and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chattanooga = $46,743, Nashville = $55,201), job availability (90 vs 370 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dialysis technicians earn in Chattanooga vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $34,011 in Chattanooga and $36,670 in Nashville. The Nashville area offers higher starting salaries.
JT

Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN

Career Analyst

Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Robinson, RNData verified by Amina Patel, BSN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.41% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov