Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary in Tennessee

How much does a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer make in Tennessee?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer in Tennessee is $135,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.

However, a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $151,057
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $129,400 to $143,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $124,119
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI-Powered HR
Salary Salary + Bonus Benefits
Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $129,400 10% $124,119 90% $151,057 75% $143,500 $135,200 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $143,500 $11,958 $2,760 $69
Average $135,200 $11,267 $2,600 $65
25th Percentile $129,400 $10,783 $2,488 $62
Check out Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Job Openings in Tennessee
Manufacturing Engineer

Laborup - Maryville, TN

Manufacturing Engineer

MS Technology, Inc. - Oak Ridge, TN

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

SSW Advanced Technologies - Newport, TN

Manufacturing Engineer

Drive - Pulaski, TN

Search More Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Select State
Select City in TN
Choose Similar Job
Choose Category
Cost of Living
Average Salary for United States
See it in Action

Key Factors That Influence Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salaries

A Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Senior Manufacturing Engineer (4-7 years): $96,418
  • Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer (7+ years): $117,617
  • Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer (7-10 years): $135,124
  • Production Process Engineer VI (10-12 years): $160,610
  • Production Process Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $91,984
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Senior Manufacturing Engineer4-7 years$96,418
Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer7+ years$117,617
Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer7-10 years$135,124
Production Process Engineer VI10-12 years$160,610
Production Process Engineering Supervisor12+ years$91,984
$96,418 Senior Ma...
$117,617 Specialis...
$135,124 Principal...
$160,610 Productio...
$91,984 Productio...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Cornersville: $132,900
  • Lexington: $130,300
  • Iron City: $125,800

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $151,924. While startup companies pay approximate $128,618.

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$128,618
Growth Stage51~500$135,997
Established501~5000$146,736
Enterprise5000+$151,924

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$169,000$81.025%
Pharmaceuticals$162,240$78.020%
Internet$155,480$75.015%
Aerospace & Defense$151,424$73.012%
Energy & Utilities$148,720$72.010%

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$129,400
Average $135,200/year
$143,500
$10,783
Average $11,267/month
$11,958
$2,488
Average $2,600/week
$2,760
$62
Average $65/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $143,500 $11,958 $2,760 $69
Average $135,200 $11,267 $2,600 $65
25th Percentile $129,400 $10,783 $2,488 $62

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer
Biologics Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Manufacturing Execution System Supervisor
Production Process Engineer VI
Supervisor - Production Engineering
Manufacturing Execution System Manager
Production Process Engineering Supervisor, Sr.
Manufacturing Production Engineering Manager

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Biologics Manufacturing Engineering Manager $119,800 -11%
Manufacturing Execution System Supervisor $115,900 -14%
Production Process Engineer VI $160,700 19%
Supervisor - Production Engineering $106,000 -22%

Salaries of jobs related to Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer

Find Your Next Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

  • Sparrow Company LLC

    Chattanooga, TN

    Manufacturing Engineer

    Sparrow Company LLC | Chattanooga, TN

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. Job Purpose Duties and Responsibilities. This position is responsible for designing, implementing, contr... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Rebo Lighting & Electronics, LLC

    Sparta, TN

    Manufacturing Engineer

    Rebo Lighting & Electronics, LLC | Sparta, TN

    Job Description. Job Description. What’s most important to you.   A fast-paced, dynamic workplace with good teamwork.   Having autonomy to grow your career... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Binks

    Jackson, TN

    Manufacturing Engineer

    Binks | Jackson, TN

    Summary. We are seeking a talented and highly motivated Manufacturing Engineer with a proven track record of implementing best-in-class processes within a ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Image Associates Inc.

    Brownsville, TN

    Manufacturing Engineer

    Image Associates Inc. | Brownsville, TN

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. manufacturing company. Job Description. Jackson, TN manufacturer needs a Manufacturing Engineer with... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Astec Industries

    Chattanooga, TN

    Manufacturing Engineer

    Astec Industries | Chattanooga, TN

    Job Description. Job Description. BUILT TO CONNECT. At Astec, we believe in the power of connection and the importance of building long-lasting relationshi... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Lifetime Products, Inc.

    Knoxville, TN

    Manufacturing Engineer

    Lifetime Products, Inc. | Knoxville, TN

    Job Description. Job Description. Lifetime Products, Inc., has applied innovation and cutting-edge technology in plastics and metals to create a family of ... more

    5 Days Ago

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Cost of Living In Tennessee

Cost of Living in Tennessee is
-6.6% Lower
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

Explore Cost of Living Calculator
Empower Your Team

Salary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.

Find Salary.com Comp Consulting
See Salary Trends in 2025

Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.

Price Your Company Jobs and Make Pay Fair

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job