Civil Engineers Salary in Tennessee

Civil engineers in Tennessee earn the most in Chattanooga (average $109,060 a year) and the least in Kingsport ($94,030), across the 8 Tennessee metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the civil engineers average at $103,340 and the median at $95,910 for 5,790 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $108,670.

Civil Engineers average salary by city in Tennessee

Chattanooga$109,060
Knoxville$107,580
Nashville$104,980
Clarksville$101,460
Memphis$100,460
Jackson$98,380
Johnson City$97,110
Kingsport$94,030

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Chattanooga	$109,060	$95,630	$75,970	$85,554	91
Knoxville	$107,580	$96,320	$76,230	$84,513	93
Nashville	$104,980	$98,650	$78,580	$82,683	96
Clarksville	$101,460	$96,930	$75,990	$80,207	91
Memphis	$100,460	$96,100	$78,400	$79,504	92
Jackson	$98,380	$93,070	$83,030	$78,040	86
Johnson City	$97,110	$82,470	$68,190	$77,147	88
Kingsport	$94,030	$87,510	$77,910	$74,980	86

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Tennessee has no state income tax. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Civil Engineers salary in other states

Civil Engineers salary by city and state

More about pay in Tennessee

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 17-2051.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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