Tennessee Salary Data
Salary comparisons across 2 metropolitan areas in Tennessee. Prices in Tennessee were 8.1% below the national level in 2024 (BEA regional price parity 91.9).
Metro Areas in Tennessee
| Metro Area | Price Level (US = 100) | vs National Level |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 96.3 | -3.7% |
| Memphis, TN | 92.2 | -7.8% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | 91.9 | -8.1% |
Top Paying Occupations in Tennessee
| Occupation | TN Median | National Median | vs National | Top Metro Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $136,180 | $159,670 | -$23,490 | Nashville, TN |
| Software Developer | $122,430 | $135,980 | -$13,550 | Nashville, TN |
| Financial Analyst | $92,990 | $102,740 | -$9,750 | Nashville, TN |
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $97,550 | -$16,050 | Nashville, TN |
| Electrician | $61,090 | $63,190 | -$2,100 | Nashville, TN |
Salary by City — Tennessee
4Wages and Prices in Tennessee
This dataset covers 2 metropolitan areas in Tennessee: Nashville, Memphis. BEA's regional price parities for them run from 92.2 to 96.3 (United States = 100), and the statewide figure is 91.9.
Of the occupations featured here, Lawyer has the highest statewide median at $136,180; among the metro areas covered, its highest median is $142,540 in Nashville, TN.
To compare a wage across areas, divide it by the area's regional price parity and multiply by 100. That restates it at national-average prices; it covers prices only, not taxes. For a specific role, browse all occupations and drill into each one to see side-by-side city differences within Tennessee.
Statewide median salary by occupation in Tennessee
State-level BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates (all metro and non-metro areas combined), highest median first. Each row links to the full state page for that occupation.
| Occupation | Median | 75th pct | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician | $301,290 | $426,850 | 5,340 |
| Lawyer | $136,180 | $198,470 | 9,010 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $153,380 | 8,250 |
| Marketing Manager | $131,990 | $173,180 | 7,730 |
| HR Manager | $131,760 | $168,970 | 4,310 |
| Sales Manager | $128,040 | $173,500 | 12,270 |
| Network Engineer | $123,860 | $148,060 | 4,330 |
| Software Developer | $122,430 | $138,890 | 19,030 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $130,330 | 12,150 |
| Database Administrator | $115,500 | $135,720 | 2,020 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $115,430 | $155,590 | 3,330 |
| Construction Manager | $110,200 | $147,900 | 5,860 |
| Actuary | $108,930 | $150,490 | 300 |
| Operations Manager | $106,970 | $163,820 | 63,720 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $100,740 | $139,740 | 4,910 |
| Data Scientist | $100,330 | $131,930 | 2,790 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | $100,330 | $131,930 | 2,790 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $111,140 | 4,800 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,550 | $127,500 | 3,930 |
| Business Analyst | $99,260 | $129,990 | 13,700 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | $107,250 | 2,490 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,910 | $123,160 | 5,790 |
| Financial Analyst | $92,990 | $104,700 | 4,910 |
| DevOps Engineer | $88,100 | $107,160 | 5,070 |
| Project Manager | $85,890 | $112,350 | 20,780 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $94,240 | 4,570 |
| Financial Advisor | $84,160 | $167,410 | 3,970 |
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $95,250 | 72,200 |
| Technical Writer | $79,550 | $102,430 | 480 |
| Accountant | $76,840 | $94,790 | 27,340 |
| Tax Manager | $76,840 | $94,790 | 27,340 |
| College Professor | $76,480 | $87,980 | 2,410 |
| Cloud Architect | $76,470 | $100,890 | 10,930 |
| Radiologic Technologist | $64,630 | $78,700 | 4,660 |
| UX Designer | $63,510 | $63,510 | 3,610 |
| Electrician | $61,090 | $76,060 | 17,070 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,980 | $64,590 | 28,240 |
| School Counselor | $59,960 | $69,820 | 6,470 |
| Paralegal | $58,820 | $67,470 | 6,080 |
| Plumber | $58,600 | $73,460 | 9,270 |
| Investment Banker | $58,050 | $83,540 | 11,370 |
| HVAC Technician | $55,490 | $65,590 | 9,740 |
| Welder | $48,040 | $57,450 | 12,510 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,570 | $45,580 | 19,180 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest paying jobs in Tennessee?
Among the occupations featured on this page, Lawyer has the highest statewide median in Tennessee at $136,180 per year, followed by Software Developer at $122,430. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
How do prices in Tennessee compare with the rest of the country?
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the regional price parity for Tennessee at 91.9 for 2024, where the United States is 100. That is 8.1% below the national level. For the metro areas covered here: Nashville, TN 96.3, Memphis, TN 92.2.
Which city in Tennessee has the best salaries?
Among the 2 Tennessee metro areas covered here, Nashville, TN has the highest median for Lawyers at $142,540 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Rankings differ by occupation; the city table on this page shows each one.