Estimate · based on BLS national data

Chemical Engineers in Tennessee

$114,382 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$54.99 per hour

▼ 12.0% below U.S. average39th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$114,382per year
Median$110,035per year
Hourly$54.99per hour
10th – 90th percentile$74,442 – $148,059per year

Chemical Engineers Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$74,442
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$92,651
  • 50th Percentile — Median$110,035
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$133,621
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$148,059

Half of Chemical Engineers in Tennessee earn more than $110,035. The top 10% make $148,059 or more, while entry-level workers start around $74,442.

Chemical Engineers in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • Tennessee ranks 39th of 51 states for Chemical Engineers pay, at $114,382 per year (12.0% below the U.S. average of $129,980).
  • 480 people work as Chemical Engineers in Tennessee — 2.3% of all U.S. Chemical Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.09: Chemical Engineers jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $74,442; the top 10% earn over $148,059.
  • Hourly equivalent: $54.99 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $201,469.
  • Among engineering jobs in Tennessee, Petroleum Engineers pays the most ($138,292).

Chemical Engineers Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Chemical Engineers here earn $114,382 on average, placing the state 39th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $114,382 is roughly equivalent to $129,980 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kansas ($115,070), Rhode Island ($115,030), Indiana ($114,590) are the closest alternatives for Chemical Engineers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Chemical Engineers salary in Tennessee?

The average Chemical Engineers salary in Tennessee is $114,382 per year (median $110,035), which is 12.0% below the national average of $129,980.

How does Tennessee rank for Chemical Engineers pay?

Tennessee ranks 39th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($201,469/yr).

How much do entry-level Chemical Engineers make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Chemical Engineers in Tennessee earn about $74,442 per year and the 25th percentile is $92,651.

How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in Tennessee?

About $54.99 per hour, based on the $114,382 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Chemical Engineers work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 480 Chemical Engineers jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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