Mechanical Engineer Salary in Franklin, TN: $101,112 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Franklin, TN earns a median $101,112/year (≈ $48.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $110,144 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Mechanical engineers in Franklin, Tennessee, can expect to see a median annual salary of $101,112 in 2026, which reflects the city's diverse industries ranging from aerospace giants like SpaceX and Boeing to innovative automotive companies such as Tesla and Rivian. The complete salary spectrum stretches from $74,325 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $156,723 for seasoned professionals at the high end. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions. In Franklin, the landscape of mechanical engineer pay is heavily influenced by the presence of high-tech firms and the growing demand for talent in both the aerospace and automotive sectors, setting the stage for competitive compensation.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,325 | $35.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,799 | $39.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,112 | $48.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,423 | $62.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,723 | $75.35 |
Median Salary Position
5.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, TN, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,398 (2026 est.). At $101,112, the local median is 5.64% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Franklin Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Franklin median: $101,112/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $99,913 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | -5.64% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Franklin, TN earn a median of $101,112 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.64% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 1.20% above the Tennessee state average of $99,913.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Franklin, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $101,112 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,144 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,447
2025 BLS Actual
$98,243
2026 Current Est.
$101,112
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,447 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,079 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,929 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,883 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,902 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,605 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,243 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,112 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,064 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $83,447 (2019) to $98,243 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,064 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,617 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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) | $74,325 – $82,799 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,799 – $101,112 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,112 – $129,423 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,423 – $156,723 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Franklin
Currently, there are 18 mechanical engineers employed within the city limits, indicative of a specialized job market that stands in contrast to its broader state or national counterparts. With a cost of living index of 91.8, engineers in Franklin enjoy a comparatively affordable lifestyle, which can enhance take-home pay and purchasing power versus the national average. Employers such as Boeing in the aerospace sector and Tesla in the automotive realm are among the most lucrative for mechanical engineers. High salaries can be linked to the need for specialized skills like security clearances in defense roles, the value of a PE license in HVAC and building systems, and the potential for equity or RSU compensation in tech-adjacent positions. To optimize earnings in this competitive local market, professionals should consider pursuing advanced credentials, networking within the dynamic industries present in the region, and remaining adaptable to the evolving demands of sectors that are shaping mechanical engineering salaries in Franklin, TN.
More salary data for Franklin, 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 $98,243 for mechanical engineersin the Franklin 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
Salary data for Franklin is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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