Civil Engineer salary in Tennessee
Civil Engineers in Tennessee earn a median of $95,910 a year ($46.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,100 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $100,840. Tennessee ranks 40th of 51 states for civil engineers pay. There are 1.8 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $103,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,090 | $31.29 |
| 25th percentile | $76,900 | $36.97 |
| Median | $95,910 | $46.11 |
| 75th percentile | $123,160 | $59.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,100 | $74.09 |
| Average (mean) | $103,340 | $49.68 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,992.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,996.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,688.85 |
| Weekly | $1,844.42 |
| Hourly | $46.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $98,650 | 2,090 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $96,930 | 140 |
| Knoxville, TN | $96,320 | 1,110 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $96,100 | 780 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $95,630 | 670 |
| Jackson, TN | $93,070 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $87,510 | 200 |
| Johnson City, TN | $82,470 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $99,080 | $47.64 |
| Engineers, All Other | $96,640 | $46.46 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,550 | $47.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,450 | $50.21 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $122,920 | $59.10 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,510 | $61.78 |
| Environmental Engineer | $97,190 | $46.73 |
| Materials Engineer | $91,940 | $44.20 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $106,470 | $51.19 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $130,830 | $62.90 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $100,390 | $48.26 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $94,030 | $45.21 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,750 | $30.65 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Tennessee?
The median salary for civil engineers in Tennessee is $95,910 a year, or $46.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of civil engineers in Tennessee earn at least $154,100 a year. The top 25% earn $123,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,090 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $76,900 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Tennessee?
About 5,790 civil engineers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.