Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Mechanical Engineers actually take home in Tennessee?
No state income tax — 21.5% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Mechanical Engineers earning $99,550 in Tennessee (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $99,550 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$13,742 | 13.8% |
| Tennessee State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$6,172 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$1,443 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$21,357 | 21.5% |
| Take-Home Pay | $78,192 | 78.5% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $64,150 | -$10,861 | $53,288 | 16.9% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $78,730 | -$15,184 | $63,545 | 19.3% |
| Median (P50) | $99,550 | -$21,357 | $78,192 | 21.5% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $127,500 | -$29,892 | $97,607 | 23.4% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $156,150 | -$38,959 | $117,190 | 25.0% |
Tennessee has no state income tax, which means a Mechanical Engineers keeps $78,192 of their $99,550 salary — 78.5% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Tennessee one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
With an effective total rate of 21.5%, a Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee keeps $78,192 of $99,550 gross — roughly typical for U.S. middle-income earners once federal, FICA and state taxes are combined.
Tennessee is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Mechanical Engineers, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal income tax ($13,742) accounts for 64% of the total tax bill — the single largest deduction. FICA adds $7,616 (36%), and state tax the remaining $0 (0%).
Tennessee ranks #18 of 51 states for Mechanical Engineers after-tax pay — comfortably in the upper half.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $78,192 net/year works out to $6,516/month or $3,007/bi-weekly for this Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Mechanical Engineers keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Tennessee ranks #18 out of 51 states for Mechanical Engineers after-tax take-home pay.
A Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee earning a median salary of $99,550 will take home approximately $78,192 per year after federal income tax ($13,742), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($7,615). That is $6,516 per month or $3,007 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee is 21.5%, broken down as: federal income tax 13.8%, Tennessee state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.7%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Tennessee does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 21.5%.
After all taxes, a Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee takes home approximately $6,516 per month, or about $37.59 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $99,550 for Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Tennessee state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $78,192/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR