Mechanical Engineer Salary in Tennessee: $102,607 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median mechanical engineer pay sits at $102,607/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2141. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $111,772 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chattanooga ($106,660), Memphis ($104,110), Nashville ($99,440).
In 2026, mechanical engineer salaries in Tennessee are projected to average $102,606, which is 4.2% lower than the national median of $107,150. Salaries vary significantly across the state, with Chattanooga offering the highest average at $109,774, while Morristown presents the lowest at $82,840. This disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, competition for talent, and the concentration of engineering firms in metropolitan areas, influencing salary scales. Tennessee has specific state licensing requirements that engineers must meet, which can shape the job market landscape. These include obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which is vital for those who wish to take on higher responsibilities and projects. The demand for mechanical engineers in Tennessee is driven by sectors such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and energy, along with a projected annual growth rate of 2.92%. Total employment in this field stands at 3,442 engineers, indicating a steady demand for skilled professionals in the state. Cities like Memphis and Nashville also provide competitive salaries of $107,150 and $102,344, respectively, making Tennessee a viable option for mechanical engineers seeking career opportunities.
Tennessee Mechanical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $49,227 (lowest entry-level) to $164,435 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee mechanical engineers earn 4.24% less than the national median ($-4,543/year difference).
Tennessee Mechanical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Mechanical Engineer salaries in Tennessee range from $65,369 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $152,631 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $102,607. The Tennessee median is $4,543 below the US national median of $107,150. The average hourly rate is $49.33/hr. Approximately 3,442 mechanical engineers are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$87,352
2025 BLS Actual
$99,695
2026 Current Est.
$102,607
2019–2027 Growth
+20.9%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,352 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,766 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,579 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,636 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,058 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,695 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,607 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,603 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 14.1% from $87,352 (2019) to $99,695 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,603 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,251 (20.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Morristown | $82,840 |
| Tullahoma | $92,278 |
| Sevierville | $94,290 |
| Maryville | $94,836 |
| Cookeville | $94,897 |
Best Value Cities for Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for mechanical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $109,774 | 91.464 | $120,019 |
| Memphis | $107,150 | 92.179 | $116,241 |
| Jackson | $99,102 | 85.522 | $115,879 |
| Johnson City | $99,874 | 87.928 | $113,586 |
| Kingsport | $97,321 | 86.447 | $112,579 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $65,369 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $102,607 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $152,631 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chattanooga | $109,774 |
| 2 | Memphis | $107,150 |
| 3 | Nashville | $102,344 |
| 4 | Knoxville | $101,963 |
| 5 | Franklin | $101,112 |
| 6 | Smyrna | $100,951 |
| 7 | Murfreesboro | $100,530 |
| 8 | Bartlett | $100,445 |
| 9 | Collierville | $100,097 |
| 10 | Johnson City | $99,874 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $99,330 |
| 12 | Jackson | $99,102 |
| 13 | Lebanon | $97,997 |
| 14 | Oak Ridge | $97,989 |
| 15 | Cleveland | $97,548 |
| 16 | Columbia | $97,330 |
| 17 | Kingsport | $97,321 |
| 18 | Germantown | $97,207 |
| 19 | Hendersonville | $97,012 |
| 20 | Gallatin | $96,843 |
| 21 | Brentwood | $96,338 |
| 22 | Clarksville | $95,654 |
| 23 | Shelbyville | $95,590 |
| 24 | Mount Juliet | $95,587 |
| 25 | La Vergne | $95,385 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $94,897 |
| 27 | Maryville | $94,836 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $94,290 |
| 29 | Tullahoma | $92,278 |
| 30 | Morristown | $82,840 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore mechanical engineer hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced mechanical engineers.
Explore More Mechanical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for mechanical engineers in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee mechanical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level mechanical engineer salary in Tennessee?
How many mechanical engineers are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for mechanical engineers?
Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 mechanical engineer compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more mechanical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov