Tennessee / Mental Health

Agency file

Mental Health

Source file: Tennessee — State Employee Salaries / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Mental Health oversees public health and medical services — disease prevention, clinics and hospitals, and health licensing and regulation.

In 2026, this agency had 1,748 employees with median total compensation of $52,260; the highest distinct record was $437,093.

Year: 2026
Employees: 1,748
Median total: $52,260
Highest record: $437,093

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$23,268$209,440+

How 2026 total compensation is spread across the 1,748 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($52,260) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $67,811 (98%)
Overtime — $0 (0%)
Other — $1,705 (2%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$30,180

$39,000

$52,260

$85,176

$122,308

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $122,308 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $30,180. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Psychiatric Technician

497 · $39,000

Registered Nurse 2*

92 · $78,000

Registered Nurse 3

91 · $101,460

Lead Psychologist Technician

71 · $47,758

Custodial Worker 1

53 · $32,436

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Record list

Employees

Highest-paid first / page 1

Chika Iwueke

Physician-Psych Instit Clin D/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$437,093

Sub-department: Chief of Medical Staff
Base pay: $407,328
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $29,765
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $437,093
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Uchechukwu

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $33,944
Employee ID: 550216

Chika Iwueke is a Physician-Psych Instit Clin D at Mental Health within Chief of Medical Staff. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $437,093.

Howard Burley

Mhsas Clinical Director/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$425,666

Sub-department: Clinical Leadership
Base pay: $407,316
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $18,350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $425,666
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $33,943
Employee ID: 141606

Howard Burley holds the role of Mhsas Clinical Director at Mental Health within Clinical Leadership. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $425,666.

Faisal Siddiqui

Physician-Psych Instit Clin D/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$410,740

Sub-department: Chief of Medical Staff
Base pay: $382,452
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $28,288
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $410,740
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Irshad

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $31,871
Employee ID: 457667

Faisal Siddiqui is a Physician-Psych Instit Clin D at Mental Health within Chief of Medical Staff. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $410,740.

Lydia Haren

Physician-Psych Instit Clin D/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$406,161

Sub-department: Director Clinical Services
Base pay: $387,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $18,237
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $406,161
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $32,327
Employee ID: 438877

At Mental Health, Lydia Haren serves as a Physician-Psych Instit Clin D within Director Clinical Services. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $406,161.

Brett George

Physician-Psych Instit Clin D/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$402,315

Sub-department: Chief of Medical Staff
Base pay: $365,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $36,351
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $402,315
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Andrew

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $30,497
Employee ID: 589166

Brett George holds the role of Physician-Psych Instit Clin D at Mental Health within Chief of Medical Staff. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $402,315.

Sandeep Gude

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$396,762

Sub-department: Chief of Medical Staff
Base pay: $364,584
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $32,178
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $396,762
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Krishna

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $30,382
Employee ID: 479932

At Mental Health, Sandeep Gude serves as a Physician-Psychiatrist within Chief of Medical Staff. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $396,762.

Joseph Hime

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$365,856

Sub-department: Admissions Office
Base pay: $334,454
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $31,402
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $365,856
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $27,871
Employee ID: 477408

Joseph Hime is a Physician-Psychiatrist at Mental Health within Admissions Office. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $365,856.

Audrey Hime

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$361,825

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 4
Base pay: $344,268
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $17,557
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $361,825
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $28,689
Employee ID: 477413

Audrey Hime holds the role of Physician-Psychiatrist at Mental Health within Acute Treatment Unit 4. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $361,825.

Quentin Fannin

Physician-Internal Medicine/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$346,488

Sub-department: Medical Clinic
Base pay: $319,116
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $27,372
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $346,488
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $26,593
Employee ID: 113852

Quentin Fannin holds the role of Physician-Internal Medicine at Mental Health within Medical Clinic. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $346,488.

Renee Minirth

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$338,297

Sub-department: Chief of Medical Staff
Base pay: $323,640
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $14,657
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $338,297
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $26,970
Employee ID: 498394

Renee Minirth holds the role of Physician-Psychiatrist at Mental Health within Chief of Medical Staff. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $338,297.

Arthur Small

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$329,032

Sub-department: Admissions Office
Base pay: $316,428
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $12,604
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $329,032
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $26,369
Employee ID: 412006

Arthur Small is a Physician-Psychiatrist at Mental Health within Admissions Office. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $329,032.

Taly Drimer Kagan

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$322,036

Sub-department: Unit D
Base pay: $309,384
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $12,652
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $322,036
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $25,782
Employee ID: 526600

Taly Drimer Kagan is a Physician-Psychiatrist at Mental Health within Unit D. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $322,036.

Don Elazar

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$320,674

Sub-department: Unit A
Base pay: $312,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,674
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $320,674
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $26,000
Employee ID: 451235

At Mental Health, Don Elazar serves as a Physician-Psychiatrist within Unit A. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $320,674.

Emile Hasan

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$316,348

Sub-department: Unit F
Base pay: $308,136
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,212
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $316,348
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Joseph

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $25,678
Employee ID: 517852

Emile Hasan is a Physician-Psychiatrist at Mental Health within Unit F. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $316,348.

Christopher Ifill

Physician-Internal Medicine/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$309,996

Sub-department: Chief of Medical Staff
Base pay: $309,996
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $309,996
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: LESEAN

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $25,833
Employee ID: 711980

Christopher Ifill works as a Physician-Internal Medicine for Mental Health within Chief of Medical Staff. Their status is full-time. Christopher earned $309,996 in 2026.

Patricia Timi-Oyebade

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$307,996

Sub-department: Unit I
Base pay: $307,996
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $307,996
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Tolulope

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $25,666
Employee ID: 658757

Patricia Timi-Oyebade holds the role of Physician-Psychiatrist at Mental Health within Unit I. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $307,996.

Aliya Ahmed

Physician-Specialty/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$306,533

Sub-department: Chief of Medical Staff
Base pay: $293,304
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $13,229
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $306,533
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $24,442
Employee ID: 510155

Aliya Ahmed holds the role of Physician-Specialty at Mental Health within Chief of Medical Staff. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $306,533.

Farhan Adam

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$305,798

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 1
Base pay: $294,048
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $11,750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $305,798
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $24,504
Employee ID: 555042

At Mental Health, Farhan Adam serves as a Physician-Psychiatrist within Acute Treatment Unit 1. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $305,798.

Allison Cannon

Physician-Specialty/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$305,179

Sub-department: Admissions Office
Base pay: $289,848
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $15,331
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $305,179
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Ann

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $24,154
Employee ID: 496003

Allison Cannon works as a Physician-Specialty for Mental Health within Admissions Office. Their status is full-time. Allison earned $305,179 in 2026.

Vijay Jethanandani

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$303,244

Sub-department: Admissions Office
Base pay: $294,336
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,908
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $303,244
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $24,528
Employee ID: 566838

Vijay Jethanandani works as a Physician-Psychiatrist for Mental Health within Admissions Office. Their status is full-time. Vijay earned $303,244 in 2026.

Sandya Gunasekera

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$297,000

Sub-department: Admissions Office
Base pay: $297,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $297,000
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: I

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $24,750
Employee ID: 699234

Sandya Gunasekera is a Physician-Psychiatrist at Mental Health within Admissions Office. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $297,000.

Olufunke Akinlaja

Physician-Specialty/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$294,955

Sub-department: Medical Clinic
Base pay: $287,496
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,459
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $294,955
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Marian

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $23,958
Employee ID: 535264

Olufunke Akinlaja holds the role of Physician-Specialty at Mental Health within Medical Clinic. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $294,955.

Zoe Reasons

Physician-Psychiatrist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$290,127

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 3
Base pay: $282,946
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,182
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $290,127
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $23,579
Employee ID: 151022

At Mental Health, Zoe Reasons serves as a Physician-Psychiatrist within Acute Treatment Unit 3. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $290,127.

Monica Beri

Physician-Specialty/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$279,372

Sub-department: Medical Clinic
Base pay: $279,372
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $279,372
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $23,281
Employee ID: 710627

Monica Beri is a Physician-Specialty at Mental Health within Medical Clinic. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $279,372.

Stephen Collier

Physician-Internal Medicine/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$278,520

Sub-department: Chief of Medical Staff
Base pay: $278,520
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $278,520
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Edward

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $23,210
Employee ID: 592200

Stephen Collier works as a Physician-Internal Medicine for Mental Health within Chief of Medical Staff. Their status is full-time. Stephen earned $278,520 in 2026.

Heather Gundersen

Deputy Commissioner 2/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$254,556

Sub-department: Commissioner and Staff
Base pay: $243,552
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $11,004
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $254,556
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $20,296
Employee ID: 125503

At Mental Health, Heather Gundersen serves as a Deputy Commissioner 2 within Commissioner and Staff. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $254,556.

Don Thornton

Mhsas Chief of Hospital Ops/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$254,511

Sub-department: Hospital Services Office
Base pay: $243,552
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $10,959
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $254,511
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $20,296
Employee ID: 151753

Don Thornton works as a Mhsas Chief of Hospital Ops for Mental Health within Hospital Services Office. Their status is full-time. Don earned $254,511 in 2026.

Joseph Yancey

Deputy Commissioner 2/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$254,510

Sub-department: Office Deputy Commissioner
Base pay: $243,552
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $10,958
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $254,510
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $20,296
Employee ID: 463380

Joseph Yancey holds the role of Deputy Commissioner 2 at Mental Health within Office Deputy Commissioner. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $254,510.

Janet Williams

Commissioner 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$243,468

Sub-department: Security
Base pay: $243,468
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $243,468
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $3,813
Employee ID: 119384

Janet Williams is a Commissioner 3 at Mental Health within Security. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $243,468.

Gene Wood

Chief Budget Officer/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$225,462

Sub-department: Budget Director
Base pay: $216,320
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,142
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $225,462
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay basis: Hourly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $104
Employee ID: 102094

Gene Wood is a Chief Budget Officer at Mental Health within Budget Director. They work part-time. 2026 total compensation came to $225,462.

Wesley Geminn

Mhsas Chief Pharmacist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$218,906

Sub-department: Ofc Chief Pharmacist
Base pay: $209,460
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,446
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $218,906
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $17,455
Employee ID: 397875

At Mental Health, Wesley Geminn serves as a Mhsas Chief Pharmacist within Office Chief Pharmacist. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $218,906.

Zachary Griffith

General Counsel 2/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$211,946

Sub-department: Legal Counsel Dir and Staff
Base pay: $202,812
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,134
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $211,946
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,901
Employee ID: 124854

Zachary Griffith is a General Counsel 2 at Mental Health within Legal Counsel Director and Staff. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $211,946.

Richard Hippel

Assistant Commissioner 2/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$211,938

Sub-department: Policy Planning & Legislation
Base pay: $202,812
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,126
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $211,938
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Kurt

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,901
Employee ID: 351980

Richard Hippel holds the role of Assistant Commissioner 2 at Mental Health within Policy Planning & Legislation. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $211,938.

Mary Shelton

Mhsas Executive Director-Oac/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$209,568

Sub-department: TN Opioid Abatement Cncl
Base pay: $200,508
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,060
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $209,568
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,709
Employee ID: 153250

Mary Shelton is a Mhsas Executive Director-Oac at Mental Health within TN Opioid Abatement Cncl. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $209,568.

Joshua Carter

Psychiatric Hospital Ceo/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$209,440

Sub-department: Chief Officer
Base pay: $200,412
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,028
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $209,440
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,701
Employee ID: 142718

At Mental Health, Joshua Carter serves as a Psychiatric Hospital Ceo within Chief Officer. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $209,440.

Joyce Kovacs

Psychiatric Hospital Ceo/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$209,440

Sub-department: Chief Officer
Base pay: $200,412
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,028
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $209,440
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,701
Employee ID: 106842

Joyce Kovacs works as a Psychiatric Hospital Ceo for Mental Health within Chief Officer. Their status is full-time. Joyce earned $209,440 in 2026.

Mary Young

Psychiatric Hospital Ceo/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$209,440

Sub-department: Director Nursing Services
Base pay: $200,412
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,028
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $209,440
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Beth

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $12,812
Employee ID: 119659

At Mental Health, Mary Young serves as a Psychiatric Hospital Ceo within Director Nursing Services. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $209,440.

John Coons

Psychiatric Hospital Ceo/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$208,500

Sub-department: Chief Officer
Base pay: $199,512
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,988
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $208,500
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,626
Employee ID: 149321

John Coons holds the role of Psychiatric Hospital Ceo at Mental Health within Chief Officer. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $208,500.

Beth Goodner

Assistant Commissioner 2/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$207,402

Sub-department: Children Services Staff
Base pay: $199,008
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,394
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $207,402
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,584
Employee ID: 630637

Beth Goodner holds the role of Assistant Commissioner 2 at Mental Health within Children Services Staff. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $207,402.

Sejal West

Assistant Commissioner 2/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$207,392

Sub-department: Recovery and Planning Svs
Base pay: $199,008
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,384
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $207,392
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Patel

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $16,584
Employee ID: 371829

At Mental Health, Sejal West serves as a Assistant Commissioner 2 within Recovery and Planning Svs. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $207,392.