EngineeringUpdated Q1 2025No state income tax

Mechanical Engineer Salary
in Chattanooga, TN

Design, analyze, and manufacture mechanical systems and devices. Median salary in Chattanooga: $96K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$96K
per year
Take-home: $68K

Salary range in Chattanooga

Entry level (25th)$72,000
Median (50th)$96,000
Senior (75th)$124,000
Top earner (90th)$155,000

Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Key facts for Chattanooga

Median salary
$96K
annual
Take-home pay
$68K
after fed/state tax
COL index
88
100 = US avg
State income tax
None
Texas advantage!
Avg 1BR rent
$1,200
per month
YoY growth
+2.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Chattanooga Mechanical Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $109K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Chattanooga

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Mechanical Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$80K$87K$95K$102K$109K201920212023202520272029
2026
$98K
projected
2027
$101K
projected
2028
$103K
projected
2029
$106K
projected
2030
$109K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$101,000+$5,000
2028 projected$103,000+$7,000
2029 projected$106,000+$10,000
2030 projected$109,000+$13,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Mechanical Engineer Salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Mechanical Engineer salary in Chattanooga, TN is $96,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Chattanooga–TN metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Mechanical Engineer in Chattanooga

Entry-level Mechanical Engineers in Chattanooga with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $72,000 and $96,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $96,000 to $124,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $124,000 to $155,000 or more.

Cost of living in Chattanooga for Mechanical Engineers

Chattanooga has a cost of living index of 88 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 12% further in Chattanooga than the national average. Crucially, Tennessee has no state income tax — giving Chattanooga-based Mechanical Engineers an immediate 3–5% take-home pay advantage over workers in states like California (9.3%) or New York (6.85%).

Education requirements for Mechanical Engineer

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; PE license valued. 30% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Mechanical Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Chattanooga (current)$96K88
Nashville102
Memphis82
Knoxville85
Clarksville82