Average salary in Tennessee

According to Forbes, Tennessee is ranked as the 9th most affordable state to live in the United States. The cost of living in Tennessee is below the national average, making it an attractive place to live for those who want to stretch their dollar further. The earning potential in Tennessee varies by city and industry, but which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries? 

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the largest cities in Tennessee, which you can find ranked below.  

Average salary in Tennessee by county

Reviewing average salaries in Tennessee by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Tennessee by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.  

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for key counties.  

Highest paying jobs in Tennessee

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Tennessee: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.  

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by job title. You can also find the top 10 highest-paying titles in Tennessee below.  

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Tennessee

What is the average salary in Tennessee by age? 

Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Tennessee are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.  

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 have a median household income of $34,888; householders aged 24 to 44 years old have a median income of $51,605; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $60,2618; and those 65 and older have a median income of $47,501.  

What is a ‘good’ salary in Tennessee? 

The median income in Tennessee is $52,375. Defining ‘good’ relies on all sorts of variable factors and these should be taken into account. For example, $80,000 is a far higher salary than the state average—but is slightly lower than the mean average of Nashville residents at $86,217. 

What is the average salary in Tennessee by hour? 

If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in Tennessee is $28.96.  

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