Mechanical Engineer salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Mechanical Engineers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $99,440 a year ($47.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 990 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,990 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $99,550. There are 0.90 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $102,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,670 | $25.32 |
| 25th percentile | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Median | $99,440 | $47.81 |
| 75th percentile | $130,420 | $62.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,990 | $70.19 |
| Average (mean) | $102,820 | $49.43 |
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 | $8,286.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,143.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,824.62 |
| Weekly | $1,912.31 |
| Hourly | $47.81 |
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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $99,070 | 760 |
| 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $98,650 | $47.43 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Engineers, All Other | $98,000 | $47.11 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $129,420 | $62.22 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,930 | $49.49 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $133,810 | $64.33 |
| Materials Engineer | $89,040 | $42.81 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $137,450 | $66.08 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $53,970 | $25.95 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $75,010 | $36.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,380 | $32.40 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,020 | $27.89 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $99,440 a year, or $47.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $145,990 a year. The top 25% earn $130,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,670 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $80,410 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 990 mechanical engineers are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.