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Aerospace Engineering Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

Aerospace Engineering pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $128,510/yr — 5% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #26 of 41 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Aerospace Engineering.

Median salary
$128,510/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$99,080 – $136,990
National median
$134,960/yr
Employed in Tennessee
610

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Tennessee

Salary alone can mislead — Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
91.9
Nominal median
$128,510
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $139,837
State income tax
None

Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #20 of 41 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #26 on raw salary.

Tennessee levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do aerospace engineering professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $128,510 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $99,080 and $136,990. That's 5% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for aerospace engineering?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #26 of 41 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $139,837. Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #20 of 41 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #26 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are aerospace engineering professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 610 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +6.1% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Aerospace Engineering nationally — Tennessee pay is 5% below the national median. See the full Aerospace Engineering career guide →

The verdict

Yes — aerospace engineering pays well from a bachelor's degree, with faster-than-average growth driven by space, defense, and aviation. It's a rigorous degree with geographically concentrated jobs, but a strong, prestigious choice for the technically inclined.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong pay from a bachelor's degree
  • Faster-than-average projected growth (space, defense)
  • Prestigious, cutting-edge work
  • Skills transfer to broader engineering
  • Riding the commercial-space boom

Cons

  • Rigorous, math- and physics-heavy degree
  • Jobs concentrated in specific regions
  • Some roles require security clearances/citizenship
  • Cyclical with defense and aerospace budgets
  • On-site work — limited remote options

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Strong math/physics students
  • People passionate about aviation or space
  • Those willing to relocate to industry hubs

✗ Probably not if…

  • People needing geographic flexibility
  • Those who dislike heavy math and physics

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Aerospace Engineering is worth it — titles link to the original threads.