Mechanical Engineer Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $109,774 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $109,774/year (≈ $52.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $120,019 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.9% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, mechanical engineers in Chattanooga, Tennessee are projected to earn a median annual salary of $109,774, slightly above the national median of $107,150. This competitive pay reflects an increasingly lucrative job market influenced by major employers in the area, particularly those in the aerospace and automotive sectors, which have adopted equity and RSU compensation strategies. The salary range for mechanical engineers in Chattanooga spans from $78,096 at the 10th percentile to $161,615 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for significant variation based on experience, specialization, and industry. With the local engineering landscape shaped by companies like SpaceX and Tesla, the city's job opportunities continue to attract a diverse range of talent.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,096 | $37.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,952 | $43.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,774 | $52.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,218 | $64.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,615 | $77.70 |
Median Salary Position
2.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,519 (2026 est.). At $109,774, the local median is 2.45% above the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chattanooga Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $109,774/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $99,886 | +9.90% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | +2.45% more |
Mechanical Engineers in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $109,774 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.45% higher than the national median of $107,150 and 9.90% above the Tennessee state average of $99,886.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $109,774 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,019 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,250
2025 BLS Actual
$106,660
2026 Current Est.
$109,774
2019–2027 Growth
+13.8%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,774 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,980 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 7.5% from $99,250 (2019) to $106,660 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,980 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,730 (13.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,096 – $89,952 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,952 – $109,774 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,774 – $134,218 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,218 – $161,615 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Chattanooga
The job market for mechanical engineers in Chattanooga is robust, with approximately 510 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 91.464, indicating that residents enjoy a lower-than-average cost of living, which can enhance take-home purchasing power despite national salary rates. Leading employers, particularly in sectors like aerospace with companies such as Boeing and SpaceX, tend to offer higher salaries, often influenced by the demand for specialized skills and security clearances. The disparity in compensation is driven not only by the industry but also by the choices engineers make regarding licensure and career progression—navigating between individual contributor and management roles can significantly impact earning potential. For those considering a career in mechanical engineering in Chattanooga, gaining a professional engineer license in HVAC or securing positions in high-paying aerospace or automotive firms are effective strategies for maximizing pay.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $106,660 for mechanical engineersin the Chattanooga metropolitan area. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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