Mechanical Engineer salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Mechanical Engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $106,660 a year ($51.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,030 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 7% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $99,550. There are 1.9 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $111,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,880 | $36.48 |
| 25th percentile | $87,400 | $42.02 |
| Median | $106,660 | $51.28 |
| 75th percentile | $130,410 | $62.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,030 | $75.50 |
| Average (mean) | $111,520 | $53.61 |
Half of mechanical 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 | $8,888.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,444.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,102.31 |
| Weekly | $2,051.15 |
| Hourly | $51.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $128,740 | 980 |
| Albany, GA | $104,500 | 40 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $104,110 | 390 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $103,700 | 50 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $102,020 | 3,070 |
| Savannah, GA | $101,990 | 190 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $101,190 | 340 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $99,440 | 990 |
| Knoxville, TN | $99,070 | 760 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $98,970 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $97,040 | 60 |
| Jackson, TN | $96,290 | 80 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $94,560 | 240 |
| Gainesville, GA | $93,420 | 260 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $92,940 | 150 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $91,430 | 80 |
| Dalton, GA | $90,940 | 90 |
| Morristown, TN | $80,490 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $99,410 | $47.79 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,630 | $45.97 |
| Electrical Engineer | $123,840 | $59.54 |
| Engineers, All Other | $101,200 | $48.66 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,180 | $57.30 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $146,850 | $70.60 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $133,060 | $63.97 |
| Materials Engineer | $103,360 | $49.69 |
| Environmental Engineer | $88,040 | $42.33 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,840 | $27.33 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $89,820 | $43.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $106,660 a year, or $51.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $157,030 a year. The top 25% earn $130,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,880 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $87,400 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 510 mechanical engineers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.