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Electrical and Electronics Drafters Salary in Tennessee: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Electrical and Electronics Drafters salary really buy you in Tennessee?

Tennessee is 8.2% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$77,180
Median annual (2025)
+8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$84,074
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.8)

Tennessee Cost of Living Index

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Electrical and Electronics Drafters earning $77,180 in Tennessee has the equivalent purchasing power of $84,074 in an average-cost US state.

TN: 91.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $56,480 $61,525 +$5,045
25th Percentile (P25) $65,860 $71,742 +$5,882
Median (P50) $77,180 $84,074 +$6,894
75th Percentile (P75) $80,600 $87,799 +$7,199
90th Percentile (P90) $98,020 $106,775 +$8,755
Key Insight

A Electrical and Electronics Drafters in Tennessee earns $77,180 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $84,074 in an average-cost state. This makes Tennessee one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Tennessee Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.8

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Electrical and Electronics Drafters, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.9%

After applying Tennessee's RPP, the $77,180 median salary translates to $84,074 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Electrical and Electronics Drafters.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#11 / 43

Tennessee sits at #11 of 43 states for Electrical and Electronics Drafters COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Electrical and Electronics Drafters (After Cost of Living)

Where does Electrical and Electronics Drafters salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$111,351
RPP 91.0
$94,860
RPP 107.6
3. Idaho
$88,877
RPP 91.8
$88,422
RPP 89.4
5. Ohio
$88,349
RPP 91.5
6. Indiana
$87,254
RPP 91.8
$87,006
RPP 94.2
8. Iowa
$84,242
RPP 88.4
$84,182
RPP 91.1
10. Georgia
$84,154
RPP 95.8

Tennessee ranks #11 out of 43 states for Electrical and Electronics Drafters after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Electrical and Electronics Drafters take-home pay in Tennessee after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Electrical and Electronics Drafters in Tennessee after cost of living?

A Electrical and Electronics Drafters in Tennessee earns a median salary of $77,180 per year. After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $84,074 — a +8.9% difference.

Is Tennessee expensive to live in?

Tennessee's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Tennessee is 91.8 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Electrical and Electronics Drafters in Tennessee: $77,180 x (100 / 91.8) = $84,074. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Electrical and Electronics Drafters in Tennessee financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Electrical and Electronics Drafters in Tennessee enjoys 8.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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