Tennessee ranks 30th of 51 states and D.C. for mechanical engineers pay, trailing top-paying New Mexico ($141,490) by $42,160 — a 42% gap.
Mechanical Engineers are less concentrated in Tennessee than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.60 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.67× below the national share.
Tennessee employs roughly 1.3% of all mechanical engineers in the country (3,680 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $47,000 | $22.60 |
| 25th percentile | $77,340 | $37.18 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $99,330 | $47.75 |
| 75th percentile | $126,400 | $60.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,230 | $68.38 |
| Mean (average) | $101,260 | $48.68 |
How Tennessee Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (current) | $99,330 | n/a |
| New Mexico | $141,490 | +42% |
| District of Columbia | $130,000 | +31% |
| Alaska | $129,990 | +31% |
| California | $126,370 | +27% |
| Massachusetts | $122,670 | +23% |
| Wyoming | $116,910 | +18% |
| Rhode Island | $115,270 | +16% |
| Louisiana | $114,050 | +15% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Tennessee
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,280 | 1,220 |
| Computer Programmers | $99,270 | 1,300 |
| Construction Managers | $99,790 | 6,490 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | $100,430 | 320 |
| Industrial Engineers | $98,230 | 7,200 |
| Physical Therapists | $100,660 | 4,420 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Mechanical Engineers salary in Tennessee?
The mean mechanical engineers salary in Tennessee is $101,260 per year. The median (middle) salary is $99,330 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee?
Entry-level mechanical engineerss (10th percentile) in Tennessee typically earn around $47,000 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $77,340 per year.
What is the highest Mechanical Engineers salary in Tennessee?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Tennessee make approximately $142,230 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $126,400 per year.
How does the Tennessee Mechanical Engineers salary compare to the national average?
The median mechanical engineers salary in Tennessee is $99,330, which is -3% below national average of $102,320.