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 7

Jayla Lee

Nurse Practitioner/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$110,220

Sub-department: Medical Clinic
Base pay: $110,220
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,220
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Nashae

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,185
Employee ID: 722087

Jayla Lee is a Nurse Practitioner at Mental Health within Medical Clinic. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $110,220.

Julie Hunter

Psy Hosp HR Director 2/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$110,203

Sub-department: Director Human Resources
Base pay: $105,624
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,579
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,203
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,802
Employee ID: 504529

At Mental Health, Julie Hunter serves as a Psy Hosp HR Director 2 within Director Human Resources. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $110,203.

James Harper

Mh/Idd Program Director/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$110,166

Sub-department: Faith Based Initiatives
Base pay: $107,520
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,646
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,166
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,960
Employee ID: 588663

James Harper works as a Mh/Idd Program Director for Mental Health within Faith Based Initiatives. Their status is full-time. James earned $110,166 in 2026.

Ashley Sims Anderson

Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$110,149

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 1
Base pay: $104,928
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,221
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,149
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Renee

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,744
Employee ID: 572351

Ashley Sims Anderson is a Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager at Mental Health within Acute Treatment Unit 1. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $110,149.

Mary Hemphill

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$109,870

Sub-department: Director Nursing Services
Base pay: $106,811
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,059
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,870
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,901
Employee ID: 584517

Mary Hemphill holds the role of Registered Nurse 3 at Mental Health within Director Nursing Services. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $109,870.

Stephanie Cooper

Mh/Idd Program Director/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$109,818

Sub-department: Sup Employment/Peer Wellness
Base pay: $108,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,818
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,818
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,000
Employee ID: 586315

Stephanie Cooper works as a Mh/Idd Program Director for Mental Health within Sup Employment/Peer Wellness. Their status is full-time. Stephanie earned $109,818 in 2026.

Heather Williams

Registered Nurse 4/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$109,776

Sub-department: Utilization Review
Base pay: $109,776
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,776
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,148
Employee ID: 126629

Heather Williams holds the role of Registered Nurse 4 at Mental Health within Utilization Review. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $109,776.

Elizabeth Woodard

Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$109,760

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 5
Base pay: $104,928
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,832
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,760
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Ann

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,744
Employee ID: 490431

At Mental Health, Elizabeth Woodard serves as a Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager within Acute Treatment Unit 5. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $109,760.

Sheila Garrison

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$109,743

Sub-department: Unit E
Base pay: $106,850
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,893
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,743
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Franklin

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,904
Employee ID: 584828

Sheila Garrison is a Registered Nurse 3 at Mental Health within Unit E. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $109,743.

Adonis Ferrer

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$109,622

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 4
Base pay: $105,096
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,526
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,622
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Malicdem

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,758
Employee ID: 469811

Adonis Ferrer holds the role of Registered Nurse 3 at Mental Health within Acute Treatment Unit 4. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $109,622.

Sherry Dunavant

Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$109,038

Sub-department: Rehabilitation Unit 4
Base pay: $104,304
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,734
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,038
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Hazelwood

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,692
Employee ID: 453207

At Mental Health, Sherry Dunavant serves as a Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager within Rehabilitation Unit 4. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $109,038.

Melissa Binkley

Mh/Idd Program Director/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$108,999

Sub-department: C.O.-Regnl Intervention Prog
Base pay: $104,304
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,695
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,999
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,692
Employee ID: 371855

Melissa Binkley works as a Mh/Idd Program Director for Mental Health within C.O.-Regnl Intervention Program. Their status is full-time. Melissa earned $108,999 in 2026.

Nia Green

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$108,857

Sub-department: Director Nursing Services
Base pay: $103,212
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,645
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,857
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,601
Employee ID: 587889

Nia Green is a Registered Nurse 3 at Mental Health within Director Nursing Services. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $108,857.

Whinolyn Jardeleza

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$108,830

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 3
Base pay: $108,580
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,830
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,048
Employee ID: 469814

At Mental Health, Whinolyn Jardeleza serves as a Registered Nurse 3 within Acute Treatment Unit 3. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $108,830.

Helen Aigbe

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$108,736

Sub-department: Unit C
Base pay: $105,330
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,406
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,736
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,777
Employee ID: 372238

Helen Aigbe works as a Registered Nurse 3 for Mental Health within Unit C. Their status is full-time. Helen earned $108,736 in 2026.

Ira Lacy

Mh/Idd Program Director/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$108,552

Sub-department: Methadone Addiction Treatment
Base pay: $108,552
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,552
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,046
Employee ID: 156814

At Mental Health, Ira Lacy serves as a Mh/Idd Program Director within Methadone Addiction Treatment. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $108,552.

Kaili Hardiman

Mhsas Assistant Director Specialist Projects/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$108,127

Sub-department: Faith Based Initiatives
Base pay: $103,212
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,915
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,127
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,601
Employee ID: 466395

Kaili Hardiman is a Mhsas Assistant Director Specialist Projects at Mental Health within Faith Based Initiatives. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $108,127.

Mary Bianchi

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$108,091

Sub-department: Director Nursing Services
Base pay: $105,408
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,683
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,091
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,784
Employee ID: 112680

Mary Bianchi is a Registered Nurse 3 at Mental Health within Director Nursing Services. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $108,091.

Rita Dickey

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$108,089

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 3
Base pay: $105,408
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,681
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,089
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,784
Employee ID: 105535

At Mental Health, Rita Dickey serves as a Registered Nurse 3 within Acute Treatment Unit 3. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $108,089.

Mary Colbaugh

Physician Assistant/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$108,000

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 2
Base pay: $108,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,000
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Elizabeth

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,000
Employee ID: 717184

Mary Colbaugh is a Physician Assistant at Mental Health within Acute Treatment Unit 2. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $108,000.

Brian Butler

Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$107,865

Sub-department: Rehabilitation Unit 3
Base pay: $103,284
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,581
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,865
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Keith

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,607
Employee ID: 489512

Brian Butler holds the role of Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager at Mental Health within Rehabilitation Unit 3. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $107,865.

Catherine Ibezim

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$107,848

Sub-department: Forensic Treatment
Base pay: $104,794
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,054
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,848
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: I

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,733
Employee ID: 132756

Catherine Ibezim works as a Registered Nurse 3 for Mental Health within Forensic Treatment. Their status is full-time. Catherine earned $107,848 in 2026.

Cindy White

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$107,636

Sub-department: Asst Supt Quality Management
Base pay: $105,096
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,540
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,636
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,758
Employee ID: 102367

At Mental Health, Cindy White serves as a Registered Nurse 3 within Assistant Superintendent Quality Management. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $107,636.

Shacora Harris

Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$107,573

Sub-department: Unit A
Base pay: $104,736
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,837
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,573
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,728
Employee ID: 484995

Shacora Harris is a Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager at Mental Health within Unit A. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $107,573.

Patsy Ganus

HR Manager 1/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$107,425

Sub-department: Director Personnel
Base pay: $104,208
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,217
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,425
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,684
Employee ID: 144382

At Mental Health, Patsy Ganus serves as a HR Manager 1 within Director Personnel. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $107,425.

William Sanford

Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$107,389

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 2
Base pay: $102,576
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,813
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,389
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Earl

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,548
Employee ID: 536909

At Mental Health, William Sanford serves as a Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager within Acute Treatment Unit 2. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $107,389.

Robert Johannes

Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$107,097

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 3
Base pay: $102,576
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,521
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,097
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,548
Employee ID: 447667

Robert Johannes works as a Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager for Mental Health within Acute Treatment Unit 3. Their status is full-time. Robert earned $107,097 in 2026.

Debra Dillon

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$106,932

Sub-department: Director Nursing Services
Base pay: $104,040
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,892
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,932
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,670
Employee ID: 190257

Debra Dillon is a Registered Nurse 3 at Mental Health within Director Nursing Services. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $106,932.

Christiana Odigie

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$106,817

Sub-department: Unit B
Base pay: $103,044
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,773
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,817
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,587
Employee ID: 150191

At Mental Health, Christiana Odigie serves as a Registered Nurse 3 within Unit B. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $106,817.

Mary Smith

Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$106,632

Sub-department: Rehabilitation Unit 1
Base pay: $106,632
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,632
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,886
Employee ID: 410186

Mary Smith holds the role of Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager at Mental Health within Rehabilitation Unit 1. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $106,632.

Sabrina Fisher

Administrative Services Assistant 4/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$106,607

Sub-department: Legal Counsel Dir and Staff
Base pay: $103,356
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,251
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,607
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,613
Employee ID: 510643

Sabrina Fisher holds the role of Administrative Services Assistant 4 at Mental Health within Legal Counsel Director and Staff. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $106,607.

Christine Swaney

Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$106,572

Sub-department: Unit I
Base pay: $103,356
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,216
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,572
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,613
Employee ID: 567838

Christine Swaney holds the role of Reg Nurse Psy Hosp Unit Manager at Mental Health within Unit I. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $106,572.

Janice Morrow

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$106,307

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 1
Base pay: $103,464
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,843
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,307
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,622
Employee ID: 129965

Janice Morrow works as a Registered Nurse 3 for Mental Health within Acute Treatment Unit 1. Their status is full-time. Janice earned $106,307 in 2026.

Stephanie Bertoni

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$106,142

Sub-department: Acute Treatment Unit 2
Base pay: $106,142
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,142
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Ann

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,845
Employee ID: 717865

Stephanie Bertoni works as a Registered Nurse 3 for Mental Health within Acute Treatment Unit 2. Their status is full-time. Stephanie earned $106,142 in 2026.

Olanike Ekundayo

Registered Nurse 3/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$106,119

Sub-department: Unit D
Base pay: $101,766
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,353
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,119
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: I

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,480
Employee ID: 640461

At Mental Health, Olanike Ekundayo serves as a Registered Nurse 3 within Unit D. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $106,119.

Anna Baker

Talent Management Assistant Director/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$106,041

Sub-department: Human Resources Dir and Staff
Base pay: $103,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,553
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,041
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,624
Employee ID: 463426

At Mental Health, Anna Baker serves as a Talent Management Assistant Director within Human Resources Director and Staff. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $106,041.

Ella Reding

Mh/Idd Program Director/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$105,586

Sub-department: TN Opioid Abatement Cncl
Base pay: $103,500
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,086
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,586
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Catherine

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,625
Employee ID: 616739

At Mental Health, Ella Reding serves as a Mh/Idd Program Director within TN Opioid Abatement Cncl. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $105,586.

Megan Merriman

Statistical Research Specialist/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$105,528

Sub-department: Dep Com-Research Staff
Base pay: $102,948
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,580
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,528
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,579
Employee ID: 573473

Megan Merriman works as a Statistical Research Specialist for Mental Health within Deputy Com-Research Staff. Their status is full-time. Megan earned $105,528 in 2026.

James Payne

Mh/Idd Program Director/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$105,475

Sub-department: TN Opioid Abatement Cncl
Base pay: $103,500
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,975
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,475
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Nathaniel

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,625
Employee ID: 647745

James Payne works as a Mh/Idd Program Director for Mental Health within TN Opioid Abatement Cncl. Their status is full-time. James earned $105,475 in 2026.

Melissa Sawbridge

HR Manager 1/Mental Health

2026 total comp

$105,461

Sub-department: Director Personnel
Base pay: $102,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,537
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,461
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Ann

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,577
Employee ID: 101268

At Mental Health, Melissa Sawbridge serves as a HR Manager 1 within Director Personnel. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $105,461.