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Mechanical Engineers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Tennessee (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Mechanical Engineers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Tennessee? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

143% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Tennessee salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$64,150
$5,346/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$99,550
$8,296/mo
Senior (P90)
$156,150
$13,012/mo

Tennessee vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$64,150
National: $72,421
-11.4%
Mid-Career (Median)
$99,550
National: $105,416
-5.6%
Senior (P90)
$156,150
National: $156,351
-0.1%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee spans from $64,150 at entry-level to $156,150 at senior level — a difference of $92,000 per year.

P10
$64K
P25
$78K
Median
$99K
P75
$127K
P90
$156K

Career Growth Premium: +143%

Senior Mechanical Engineerss in Tennessee earn $92,000 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$92,000
Monthly Difference
+$7,667
Hourly Difference
+$44.23
Growth Multiple
2.4x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Mechanical Engineers salary increases with experience in Tennessee, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $64,150 $5,346 $30.84
Early Career P25 $78,730 $6,561 $37.85
Mid-Career Median $99,550 $8,296 $47.86
Experienced P75 $127,500 $10,625 $61.30
Senior / Expert P90 $156,150 $13,012 $75.07
Key Insight

Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $64,150, while senior-level professionals earn $156,150 — a 143% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($99,550) and experienced level ($127,500), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Tennessee Compares to Other States

Where does Tennessee rank for Mechanical Engineers senior-level salaries? Compare Tennessee's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$203,620
Entry: $82K
+148%
2
$203,140
Entry: $103K
+96%
3
$195,190
Entry: $86K
+125%
4
$195,190
Entry: $79K
+147%
5
$181,550
Entry: $70K
+158%
6
$176,680
Entry: $79K
+122%
7
$175,210
Entry: $75K
+131%
8
$174,320
Entry: $76K
+127%
9
$170,810
Entry: $75K
+127%
10
$168,180
Entry: $65K
+155%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Mechanical Engineers?

Entry-level Mechanical Engineerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $64,150 per year, or $5,345 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $78,730. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Mechanical Engineers make?

Senior Mechanical Engineerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $156,150 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $127,500. This represents a career premium of 143% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Mechanical Engineers?

The career salary growth potential for Mechanical Engineerss is 143%. Entry-level professionals start at $64,150, while senior-level can earn up to $156,150 — a difference of $92,000 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Mechanical Engineerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Mechanical Engineerss is Tennessee, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $156,150 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Mechanical Engineers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Tennessee from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Tennessee.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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