Cost of hiring a bookkeeper in Nashville-Murfreesboro, TN
Nashville-Murfreesboro is the most expensive place in Tennessee to hire a bookkeeper. The median is $50,810 a year[1], 5.5% above the Tennessee statewide median of $48,180 and about level with the US median of $50,670. That is in the top quarter of US areas (#110 of 521). With about 13,790 bookkeepers, 37% of the Tennessee total, no area in Tennessee employs more.
BLS occupation 43-3031, area Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Nashville-Murfreesboro against Tennessee and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Murfreesboro, TN | $38,150 | $50,810 | $74,090 | |
| Tennessee | $35,000 | $48,180 | $67,730 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
Bookkeepers at the 90th percentile earn $74,090, 1.9 times the 10th percentile; the US ratio is 2.1. The middle half of bookkeepers in Nashville-Murfreesboro earns $45,130–$61,320.
What to budget for a bookkeeper here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,150 | $3,179 | $18.34 | $54,500 |
| 25th percentile | $45,130 | $3,761 | $21.70 | $64,471 |
| Median | $50,810 | $4,234 | $24.43 | $72,586 |
| 75th percentile | $61,320 | $5,110 | $29.48 | $87,600 |
| 90th percentile | $74,090 | $6,174 | $35.62 | $105,843 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $5,680 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $10,510, or about $15,014 once benefits are added. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Nashville-Murfreesboro
Pay is only part of it. Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], which adds about $21,776 to the $50,810 median and brings it to $72,586 a year. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for bookkeepers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Nashville-Murfreesboro
Of the 17 roles we track in Nashville-Murfreesboro, this one ranks #10 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $85,990 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $36,810.
| Role | Median | vs bookkeeper | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +69.2% | 7,950 | |
| Accountant | +53.7% | 11,290 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +52.0% | 5,510 | |
| Executive Assistant | +45.1% | 2,430 | |
| Office Manager | +43.8% | 17,890 | |
| Recruiter | +32.6% | 8,210 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +23.9% | 9,370 | |
| Paralegal | +19.7% | 2,660 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +10.1% | 1,460 | |
| Bookkeeper | this role | 13,790 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -3.6% | 12,100 | |
| HR Assistant | -10.2% | 1,330 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -10.3% | 12,970 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -10.4% | 20,770 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -12.4% | 760 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -20.2% | 730 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -27.6% | 4,040 |
Other areas in Tennessee
Across the 14 areas of Tennessee with data for this job, the median runs from $40,700 in Johnson City to $50,810 in Nashville-Murfreesboro, a gap of $10,110 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Nashville-Murfreesboro | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Murfreesboro, TN | this area | 13,790 | |
| Memphis, TN-MS | -4.7% | 6,320 | |
| Knoxville, TN | -6.9% | 4,510 | |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | -7.7% | 2,920 | |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | -8.9% | 1,000 | |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | -10.1% | 1,170 | |
| East Tennessee (Nonmetro) | -10.4% | 1,190 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper in Nashville-Murfreesboro, TN?
About $72,586 a year at the median, or $6,049 a month: $50,810 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for bookkeepers in Nashville-Murfreesboro?
The median was $50,810 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,150, the 90th $74,090, and the middle half earned $45,130 to $61,320.
Is Nashville-Murfreesboro the most expensive area in Tennessee for bookkeepers?
Yes. Its median of $50,810 is the highest of 14 areas in Tennessee. Memphis comes next at $48,400.
How many bookkeepers work in Nashville-Murfreesboro?
BLS counts about 13,790 in the May 2025 survey. That is 37% of the Tennessee total of 37,680.
Does a bookkeeper cost more than an administrative assistant in Nashville-Murfreesboro?
Yes: $1,810 a year more at the median. The medians are $50,810 and $49,000.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.