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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Engineer in Tennessee is $119,648 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $127,425 | $10,619 | $2,450 | $61 |
| Average | $119,648 | $9,971 | $2,301 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,635 | $9,220 | $2,128 | $53 |
Midland-Marvel Recruiters - Dyersburg, TN
Institutional Casework INC - Union City, TN
M Force Recruiting Partners - Decatur, TN
Apex Structural Engineering - Brentwood, TN
A Design 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Design 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Digital D... Level Design Engineer | $75,906 |
| Digital D... Level Design Engineer | $95,515 |
| Design En... Level Design Engineer | $119,076 |
| Digital D... Level Design Engineer | $150,610 |
| Digital D... Level Design Engineer | $178,445 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Design Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Design Engineer positions in Media or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $155,542 | $75.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $143,577 | $69.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $137,595 | $66.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $131,613 | $63.0 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $131,613 | $63.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Design 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $127,425 | $10,619 | $2,450 | $61 |
| Average | $119,648 | $9,971 | $2,301 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,635 | $9,220 | $2,128 | $53 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Apex Structural Engineering
Brentwood, TN
Apex Structural Engineering | Brentwood, TN
Job Description. Job Description. Location. Nashville, TN. About Us. At Apex Structural Engineering, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and in... more
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Automation IG
Chattanooga, TN
Automation IG | Chattanooga, TN
Job Description. Job Description. Mechanical Design Engineer to perform conceptual and detailed mechanical design of weld fixtures, gages, tooling, custom ... more
2 Days Ago
GBT Realty
Nashville, TN
GBT Realty | Nashville, TN
GBT Realty Corporation. serves by making real estate execution certain - through disciplined, principled work that protects capital, builds enduring places... more
3 Days Ago
Tews Company
Antioch, TN
Tews Company | Antioch, TN
Job Description. Job Description. Senior Design Engineer – AV Systems. Location. Remote. Responsibilities. Design and validate integrated AV system solutio... more
3 Days Ago
ADPma, LLC
Piney Flats, TN
ADPma, LLC | Piney Flats, TN
Job Description. Job Description. DESIGN / PROJECT ENGINEER. Manager: Ben King more
4 Days Ago
Astec Industries
Chattanooga, TN
Astec Industries | Chattanooga, TN
Job Description. Job Description. BUILT TO CONNECT. Astec is a global, environmentally focused infrastructure and manufacturing company of asphalt road bui... more
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