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Project Management Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

Project Management pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $85,890/yr — 16% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #43 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Project Management.

Median salary
$85,890/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$70,220 – $112,350
National median
$102,320/yr
Employed in Tennessee
20,780

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
$85,890
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $93,460
State income tax
None

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 project management professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $85,890 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $70,220 and $112,350. That's 16% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for project management?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #43 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 $93,460. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are project management professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 20,780 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +5.6% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Project Management nationally — Tennessee pay is 16% below the national median. See the full Project Management career guide →

The verdict

Yes as a career step-up — project management pays well, spans nearly every industry, and rewards certification (PMP) with higher pay. It's rarely an entry-level role, though: it works best as a move up after gaining domain experience, and the accountability can be stressful.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong pay, faster-than-average growth
  • Demand across nearly every industry
  • Certification (PMP) meaningfully lifts pay
  • Transferable, cross-industry skill set
  • Remote-friendly in many sectors

Cons

  • Rarely a true entry-level role
  • High accountability with limited direct authority
  • Stress when timelines or scope slip
  • Success depends on stakeholders you don't control
  • Can involve heavy meetings and reporting

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Organized people with domain experience
  • Those willing to certify (PMP/CAPM)
  • Anyone wanting a cross-industry step-up

✗ Probably not if…

  • People seeking a first job with no experience
  • Those uncomfortable with accountability under pressure

What people are actually asking

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