worthsay

Marketing Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

Marketing pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $131,990/yr — 21% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #34 of 48 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Marketing.

Median salary
$131,990/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$98,810 – $173,180
National median
$166,790/yr
Employed in Tennessee
7,730

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
$131,990
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $143,624
State income tax
None

Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #30 of 48 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #34 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 marketing professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $131,990 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $98,810 and $173,180. That's 21% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for marketing?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #34 of 48 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $143,624. Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #30 of 48 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #34 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are marketing professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 7,730 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +6.6% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Marketing nationally — Tennessee pay is 21% below the national median. See the full Marketing career guide →

The verdict

Yes with the right focus — marketing offers broad demand, creative-analytical variety, and strong pay at the management level, with an accessible entry path. The catch is a crowded entry-level market and pay that hinges on moving into data-driven or leadership roles.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong pay at the management level
  • Broad demand across every industry
  • Blend of creative and analytical work
  • Accessible entry without a specialized degree
  • Remote-friendly in many roles

Cons

  • Crowded, competitive entry-level market
  • Modest early-career pay
  • Results-driven pressure and shifting metrics
  • Constant platform/tool churn
  • Pay gap between generalists and specialists

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People blending creative and analytical strengths
  • Those who'll build digital/data skills
  • Anyone targeting management-track pay

✗ Probably not if…

  • People expecting high entry-level pay
  • Those who dislike metrics and constant change

What people are actually asking

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