Mechanical Engineers Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $95,710 -6.5% vs national
Median hourly $46.02
10th percentile $63,930
90th percentile $157,340
Employed locally 570
National median $102,320

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Mechanical Engineers
in
Knoxville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,930
    25th
    $77,260
    50th (median)
    $95,710
    75th
    $126,800
    90th
    $157,340

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income 137% Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 37% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $181,480
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $147,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $145,640
    New Mexico $141,490
    Salinas, CA $141,420
    Baton Rouge, LA $132,850

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Clarksville, TN-KY $108,470
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $103,670
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $101,600
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $101,100
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $98,820
    Jackson, TN $95,210

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers$98,230
    Engineers, All Other$100,490
    Civil Engineers$99,810
    Electrical Engineers$110,890
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$58,410
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$63,890

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Knoxville, TN is $46.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $71.63 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Knoxville, TN is 6.5% below the national median of $102,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mechanical Engineers in Knoxville?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $63,930 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,260.