Thinking about a career move to or within the Volunteer State? With its booming cities, vibrant culture, and rapidly growing job market, Tennessee is an increasingly attractive destination for professionals. But before you pack your bags for Nashville or Memphis, you’re likely asking the most important question: "What can I expect to earn?"
This guide will answer that question. While the average salary in Tennessee hovers around $59,880 per year, your personal earning potential can range from $35,000 for entry-level roles to well over $150,000 for specialized, senior positions (Source: Payscale, 2024).
This article breaks down the key factors that influence your salary in Tennessee, providing the data you need to benchmark your worth and negotiate with confidence.
Understanding the Tennessee Job Market
A "TN salary search" isn't a job title—it's the critical first step any savvy professional takes to understand their value in a specific geographic market. Tennessee’s economy is a dynamic mix of traditional and modern industries. It's a national leader in automotive manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and music and entertainment. More recently, it has become a burgeoning hub for the technology and corporate operations sectors, attracting major companies like Oracle and Amazon.
This economic diversity means that opportunities are plentiful, but compensation can vary significantly. Understanding the landscape is the key to maximizing your earning potential.
Average Tennessee Salary
When looking at the big picture, it's helpful to consider a few different metrics. These numbers provide a baseline for what residents are earning across the state.
- Average Annual Salary: The mean annual wage for all occupations in Tennessee is $56,530, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data (May 2023).
- Median Household Income: The median household income in Tennessee is $64,035 (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022). This figure represents the midpoint of all household earnings in the state.
- Typical Salary Range: According to salary aggregator Salary.com (2024), the typical salary range in Tennessee falls between $46,957 (25th percentile) and $82,852 (75th percentile).
These numbers are just a starting point. Your specific salary will be determined by a combination of crucial factors, which we will explore next.
Key Factors That Influence Your Salary
Your personal earnings are a unique combination of your skills, background, and career choices. Here’s how different factors can impact your paycheck in Tennessee.
### Level of Education
Nationally, there is a strong and direct correlation between educational attainment and earning potential, and Tennessee is no exception. A higher degree often qualifies you for more specialized, higher-paying roles.
According to BLS data on national earnings by education, here's how median weekly earnings typically break down:
- High School Diploma: $853
- Bachelor's Degree: $1,432
- Master's Degree: $1,661
- Doctoral or Professional Degree: $2,083
In Tennessee, a professional in a field like finance or technology with a Master's degree will almost always have a higher earning potential than someone in the same field with only a bachelor's degree.
### Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most significant drivers of salary growth. Companies pay a premium for seasoned professionals who can solve complex problems, lead teams, and require less supervision.
We can illustrate this using the example of a Software Developer in Nashville, TN (Source: Glassdoor, 2024):
- Entry-Level (0-1 years): Approximately $79,000/year
- Mid-Career (7-9 years): Approximately $112,000/year
- Senior-Level (15+ years): Approximately $138,000/year
This clear progression shows that committing to a career path and building expertise over time directly translates to substantial financial rewards.
### Geographic Location
Where you work within Tennessee matters—a lot. Major metropolitan areas with higher costs of living and a greater concentration of high-paying industries offer significantly higher salaries than rural areas.
Here is a comparison of mean annual wages across Tennessee's major Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) (Source: BLS, May 2023):
| Metropolitan Area | Mean Annual Wage |
| :--- | :--- |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $61,850 |
| Knoxville | $55,100 |
| Memphis | $54,820 |
| Chattanooga | $52,900 |
| Statewide Average | $56,530 |
As the data shows, the Nashville area leads the state in earning potential, driven by a strong presence of healthcare, tech, and corporate headquarters.
### Company Type and Industry
The size and type of your employer play a massive role in your compensation package. A large, publicly traded corporation like FedEx (headquartered in Memphis) or HCA Healthcare (headquartered in Nashville) will generally have more structured and higher-paying salary bands than a small local business or a non-profit organization.
Furthermore, the industry you work in is a primary determinant. Some of Tennessee's highest-paying industries include:
- Healthcare: Anesthesiologists in Tennessee have a mean annual wage of $361,510.
- Management: Chief Executives can expect a mean wage of $219,370.
- Technology: Computer and Information Systems Managers earn a mean of $154,160.
(Source: BLS, May 2023)
### Area of Specialization
Your specific job title and area of specialization are, perhaps, the most direct factor influencing your salary. In-demand skills and professions command top dollar. For example, within the broad field of healthcare, a specialized surgeon will earn vastly more than a medical assistant.
Here are a few examples of mean annual salaries for specific, in-demand roles in Tennessee (Source: BLS, May 2023):
- Registered Nurses: $71,440
- Software Developers: $110,950
- Accountants and Auditors: $80,420
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: $52,140
- Operations Managers: $124,380
Job Outlook
The future for professionals in Tennessee looks bright. According to the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, total employment in the state is projected to grow by 11.5% from 2020 to 2030, creating over 360,000 new jobs.
This growth is expected to outpace the national average. The sectors with the strongest projected growth include Healthcare Support, Computer and Mathematical Occupations, and Construction and Extraction, signaling robust opportunities for years to come.
Conclusion
Conducting a "TN salary search" is the first step toward a rewarding career in the Volunteer State. While statewide averages provide a helpful benchmark, your ultimate earning potential is in your hands.
To summarize the key takeaways:
- Tennessee's economy is strong and diversifying, offering opportunities across healthcare, tech, manufacturing, and more.
- Your salary is influenced by a powerful combination of factors: education, experience, location, company, and specialization.
- Location is key: The Nashville metro area offers the highest average salaries in the state.
- The job market is growing faster than the national average, promising a bright future for professionals.
Use this guide to understand your market value, identify areas for growth, and confidently negotiate the compensation you deserve. Your successful career in Tennessee awaits.