Average Salary in Tennessee

Average wage, unemployment, and how Tennessee ranks — from official BLS data.

Average annual wage
$74,048
Unemployment
3.6%
Pay rank
#24 / 51

The average worker in Tennessee earns about $74,048 a year across all industriesabout $7,109 above the national average. Roughly 3,281,637 jobs are covered in the state.

Compare your own pay against your occupation with the Salary Comparison Calculator, check everyday prices on the Cost of Living page, or see the full state ranking.

How it works

The average annual wage for Tennessee is the BLS QCEW average weekly wage across all covered industries, annualized (2025 Q4). The unemployment rate is the seasonally adjusted state figure from BLS LAUS. These are averages — a typical (median) worker usually earns less than the average, which is pulled up by high earners.

Good to know

  • Average wage is employer-reported and covers ~95% of US jobs; it runs higher than the median.
  • Weigh Tennessee's wage against its cost of living and rent before comparing states.
  • Figures refresh as BLS releases new quarters.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary in Tennessee?

The average annual wage in Tennessee is about $74,048, based on the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (2025 Q4) — the average across all covered industries.

What is the unemployment rate in Tennessee?

Tennessee's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.6% (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics).

How does Tennessee rank for pay?

Tennessee ranks #24 of 51 states (and DC) by average wage.