worthsay

Architecture Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

Architecture pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $94,030/yr — 5% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #40 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Architecture.

Median salary
$94,030/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$76,070 – $118,090
National median
$99,280/yr
Employed in Tennessee
2,570

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
$94,030
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $102,318
State income tax
None

Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #20 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #40 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 architecture professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $94,030 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $76,070 and $118,090. That's 5% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for architecture?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #40 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $102,318. Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #20 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #40 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are architecture professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 2,570 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +3.9% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

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

The verdict

Maybe — architecture is creative and prestigious, but the path is long (degree plus licensure) and pay is middling relative to the training and hours, especially early on. Worth it if you're passionate about design; less compelling on pure economics.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Creative, tangible work shaping real spaces
  • Prestige and professional identity
  • Path to firm ownership or specialization
  • Blends art, engineering, and project management
  • Licensure creates a professional moat

Cons

  • Long path: degree plus licensure exams
  • Middling pay relative to training and hours
  • Long hours, especially early-career
  • Cyclical with construction demand
  • Low early-career pay while gaining hours

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Design-driven people who like the built environment
  • Those willing to complete the long licensure path
  • Anyone blending creative and technical interests

✗ Probably not if…

  • People optimizing pay per year of training
  • Those wanting a short path to strong income

What people are actually asking

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