Mechanical Engineer salary in Knoxville, TN
Mechanical Engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $99,070 a year ($47.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 760 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,980 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $99,550. There are 1.8 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,200 | $30.39 |
| 25th percentile | $78,790 | $37.88 |
| Median | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| 75th percentile | $126,880 | $61.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,980 | $71.63 |
| Average (mean) | $102,210 | $49.14 |
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 | $8,255.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,127.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,810.38 |
| Weekly | $1,905.19 |
| Hourly | $47.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $106,660 | 510 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $104,110 | 390 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $99,440 | 990 |
| Johnson City, TN | $97,040 | 60 |
| Jackson, TN | $96,290 | 80 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $94,560 | 240 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $92,940 | 150 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $96,320 | $46.31 |
| Industrial Engineer | $95,750 | $46.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,650 | $47.91 |
| Electrical Engineer | $108,590 | $52.21 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $179,660 | $86.38 |
| Environmental Engineer | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $107,100 | $51.49 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $118,020 | $56.74 |
| Materials Engineer | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $129,840 | $62.42 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $94,310 | $45.34 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,060 | $32.24 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $99,070 a year, or $47.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $148,980 a year. The top 25% earn $126,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,200 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $78,790 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 760 mechanical engineers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.