Mechanical Engineer salary in Tennessee
Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee earn a median of $99,550 a year ($47.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,150 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $104,110. Tennessee ranks 35th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 1.2 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $104,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| 25th percentile | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Median | $99,550 | $47.86 |
| 75th percentile | $127,500 | $61.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,150 | $75.07 |
| Average (mean) | $104,790 | $50.38 |
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 | $8,295.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,147.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,828.85 |
| Weekly | $1,914.42 |
| Hourly | $47.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in Tennessee
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 |
| 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 17-2141. 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 Tennessee?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Tennessee is $99,550 a year, or $47.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Tennessee earn at least $156,150 a year. The top 25% earn $127,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,150 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $78,730 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Tennessee?
About 3,930 mechanical engineers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.