Civil Engineer salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Civil Engineers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $98,650 a year ($47.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,800 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $95,910. There are 1.9 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $104,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| 25th percentile | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Median | $98,650 | $47.43 |
| 75th percentile | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,800 | $77.31 |
| Average (mean) | $104,980 | $50.47 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,220.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,110.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,794.23 |
| Weekly | $1,897.12 |
| Hourly | $47.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,650 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $96,930 | 140 |
| Knoxville, TN | $96,320 | 1,110 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $96,100 | 780 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $95,630 | 670 |
| Jackson, TN | $93,070 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $87,510 | 200 |
| Johnson City, TN | $82,470 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Engineers, All Other | $98,000 | $47.11 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,440 | $47.81 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $129,420 | $62.22 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,930 | $49.49 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $133,810 | $64.33 |
| Materials Engineer | $89,040 | $42.81 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $137,450 | $66.08 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $53,970 | $25.95 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $75,010 | $36.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,380 | $32.40 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,020 | $27.89 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $98,650 a year, or $47.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $160,800 a year. The top 25% earn $124,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,440 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $78,580 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 2,090 civil engineers are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.