Civil Engineer Salary in Chattanooga, TN
Civil Engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median $95,630 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,106 take-home, or $6,342 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Chattanooga, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,209
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,929
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,387
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$76,106
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro spans Tennessee, Georgia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Chattanooga, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,290 | $30.91 | $53,837 | $4,486 |
| 25th percentile | $75,970 | $36.52 | $62,275 | $5,190 |
| Median (50th) | $95,630 | $45.98 | $76,106 | $6,342 |
| 75th percentile | $131,140 | $63.05 | $100,900 | $8,408 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,550 | $78.15 | $122,369 | $10,197 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $95,630 buys in Chattanooga, TN
Prices in Chattanooga, TN are 8.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $76,106 take-home pay has the buying power of $83,208 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Civil Engineer jobs are about as common in Chattanooga, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.06).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Chattanooga, TN ranks #17 of 125 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | $94,214 | $94,139 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | $84,938 | $93,565 |
| 3 | Mobile, AL | $107,810 | $79,549 | $90,296 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | $82,116 | $88,681 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | $78,969 | $87,132 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | $76,595 | $85,856 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | $90,657 | $84,988 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | $76,021 | $84,425 |
| 17 | Chattanooga, TN | $95,630 | $76,106 | $83,208 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Civil Engineer salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Memphis, TN — $96,100
- Knoxville, TN — $96,320
- Nashville, TN — $98,650
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Chattanooga, TN?
The median civil engineer salary in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $95,630 a year, or about $45.98 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $75,970 and $131,140.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Chattanooga, TN?
On the median $95,630 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $76,106 a year ($6,342 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Chattanooga, TN a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 8.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $83,208 would in a typical U.S. city. Chattanooga, TN ranks #17 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Chattanooga, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chattanooga, TN is $1,263 a month ($1,390 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN
- Electrical Engineer — $123,840
- Mechanical Engineer — $106,660
- Industrial Engineer — $99,410