Mechanical Engineer Salary in Chattanooga, TN
Mechanical Engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median $106,660 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $83,865 take-home, or $6,989 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Chattanooga, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,635
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,613
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,547
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$83,865
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.
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Chattanooga, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,880 | $36.48 | $62,212 | $5,184 |
| 25th percentile | $87,400 | $42.02 | $70,316 | $5,860 |
| Median (50th) | $106,660 | $51.28 | $83,865 | $6,989 |
| 75th percentile | $130,410 | $62.70 | $100,401 | $8,367 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,030 | $75.50 | $118,596 | $9,883 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $106,660 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 mechanical engineer's $83,865 take-home pay has the buying power of $91,692 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Mechanical Engineer jobs are about as common in Chattanooga, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.00).
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Chattanooga, TN ranks #13 of 115 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $135,530 | $100,221 | $110,400 |
| 2 | Beaumont, TX | $122,280 | $94,844 | $105,329 |
| 3 | Peoria, IL | $128,710 | $93,013 | $101,953 |
| 4 | Columbus, IN | $127,700 | $94,811 | $101,944 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $168,030 | $112,533 | $101,911 |
| 6 | Augusta, GA | $128,740 | $93,201 | $101,412 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $125,350 | $96,943 | $98,290 |
| 8 | Kennewick, WA | $124,780 | $96,553 | $96,477 |
| 13 | Chattanooga, TN | $106,660 | $83,865 | $91,692 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 115 metros →
Mechanical Engineer salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Knoxville, TN — $99,070
- Nashville, TN — $99,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Chattanooga, TN?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $106,660 a year, or about $51.28 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $87,400 and $130,410.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Chattanooga, TN?
On the median $106,660 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $83,865 a year ($6,989 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Chattanooga, TN a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 8.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $91,692 would in a typical U.S. city. Chattanooga, TN ranks #13 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical 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) — 18% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN
- Electrical Engineer — $123,840
- Industrial Engineer — $99,410
- Civil Engineer — $95,630