Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Technical Writers salary really buy you in Tennessee?
Tennessee is 8.2% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Technical Writers earning $79,550 in Tennessee has the equivalent purchasing power of $86,655 in an average-cost US state.
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) | $50,430 | $54,934 | +$4,504 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $63,540 | $69,215 | +$5,675 |
| Median (P50) | $79,550 | $86,655 | +$7,105 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $102,430 | $111,579 | +$9,149 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $108,890 | $118,616 | +$9,726 |
A Technical Writers in Tennessee earns $79,550 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $86,655 in an average-cost state. This makes Tennessee one of the best value states for this occupation.
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 Technical Writers, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
After applying Tennessee's RPP, the $79,550 median salary translates to $86,656 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Technical Writers.
Tennessee's rank of #26 of 45 states means real purchasing power for Technical Writers trails the national half-way line.
Where does Technical Writers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Tennessee ranks #26 out of 45 states for Technical Writers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Technical Writers take-home pay in Tennessee after taxes →
A Technical Writers in Tennessee earns a median salary of $79,550 per year. After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $86,655 — a +8.9% difference.
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).
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.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Technical Writers in Tennessee: $79,550 x (100 / 91.8) = $86,655. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Technical Writers 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.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.