Environmental Engineer salary in Tennessee
Environmental Engineers in Tennessee earn a median of $97,190 a year ($46.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,660 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $107,110. Tennessee ranks 34th of 50 states for environmental engineers pay. There are 0.17 environmental engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $101,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for environmental engineers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| 25th percentile | $74,890 | $36.01 |
| Median | $97,190 | $46.73 |
| 75th percentile | $117,930 | $56.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,660 | $68.59 |
| Average (mean) | $101,260 | $48.68 |
Half of environmental 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 | $8,099.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,049.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,738.08 |
| Weekly | $1,869.04 |
| Hourly | $46.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Environmental Engineer salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $102,930 | 180 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $100,150 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $88,040 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $86,550 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for environmental engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $130,510 |
| California | $130,410 |
| Oregon | $127,100 |
| Washington | $125,460 |
| Texas | $123,060 |
| Nebraska | $120,620 |
| Idaho | $117,520 |
| Florida | $116,840 |
| Massachusetts | $115,800 |
| Minnesota | $115,750 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $99,080 | $47.64 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,910 | $46.11 |
| 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 |
| 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 17-2081. 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 environmental engineer make in Tennessee?
The median salary for environmental engineers in Tennessee is $97,190 a year, or $46.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid environmental engineers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of environmental engineers in Tennessee earn at least $142,660 a year. The top 25% earn $117,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for environmental engineers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,630 a year, and a quarter of environmental engineers earn $74,890 or less.
How many environmental engineers work in Tennessee?
About 540 environmental engineers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.