Salary AI Book a Demo

First Article Inspector Salary in Tennessee

How much does a First Article Inspector make in Tennessee?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a First Article Inspector in Tennessee is $59,276 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, a First Article Inspector's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,150
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,892 to $64,968
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,990
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence First Article Inspector Salaries

A First Article Inspector'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 First Article Inspector Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a First Article Inspector'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $51,015
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $58,857
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $69,889
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $92,983
  • Expert (over 8 years): $71,425
Levels Salary
Inventory... Level First Article Inspector$51,015
First Art... Level First Article Inspector$58,857
Inventory... Level First Article Inspector$69,889
Inventory... Level First Article Inspector$92,983
Inventory... Level First Article Inspector$71,425
View as Graph

How Do First Article Inspector Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 First Article Inspectors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $70,230.
  • California: $69,964.
  • Massachusetts: $69,031.

Top Paying Cities for First Article Inspectors

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: $58,261
  • Lexington: $57,141
  • Iron City: $55,148

First Article Inspector Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For First Article Inspector roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 85% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, First Article Inspector positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view First Article Inspector as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a First Article Inspector

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$82,986$40.040%
Internet$74,095$36.025%
Biotechnology$71,131$34.020%
Insurance$68,167$33.015%
Energy & Utilities$65,203$31.010%

First Article Inspector Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a First Article Inspector'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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$53,892
Average $59,276/year
$64,968
$4,491
Average $4,940/month
$5,414
$1,036
Average $1,140/week
$1,249
$26
Average $28/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $64,968 $5,414 $1,249 $31
Average $59,276 $4,940 $1,140 $28
25th Percentile $53,892 $4,491 $1,036 $26

Find Your Next First Article Inspector Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current First Article Inspector job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

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

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

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

Adjust Employee Salary

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

Price My Industry Jobs

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