Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in Tennessee
Commercial and Industrial Designers in Tennessee earn a median of $71,230 a year ($34.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 750 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,430 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $83,910. Tennessee ranks 35th of 41 states for commercial and industrial designers pay. There are 0.23 commercial and industrial designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial and industrial designers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,330 | $21.80 |
| 25th percentile | $59,930 | $28.81 |
| Median | $71,230 | $34.25 |
| 75th percentile | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,430 | $52.13 |
| Average (mean) | $75,900 | $36.49 |
Half of commercial and industrial designers 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 | $5,935.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,967.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,739.62 |
| Weekly | $1,369.81 |
| Hourly | $34.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $70,200 | 100 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $68,020 | n/a |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $67,830 | 80 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $66,500 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for commercial and industrial designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas | $104,870 |
| Michigan | $102,160 |
| Massachusetts | $101,720 |
| Rhode Island | $101,140 |
| California | $100,770 |
| Louisiana | $98,040 |
| Minnesota | $94,370 |
| Washington | $94,280 |
| Arkansas | $92,540 |
| Georgia | $91,360 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| Interior Designer | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Art Director | $89,860 | $43.20 |
| Floral Designer | $36,220 | $17.41 |
| Designers, All Other | $72,450 | $34.83 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $83,080 | $39.94 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $43,030 | $20.69 |
| Craft Artist | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,780 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Producers and Directors | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,970 | $24.02 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1021. 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 commercial and industrial designers make in Tennessee?
The median salary for commercial and industrial designers in Tennessee is $71,230 a year, or $34.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial and industrial designers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of commercial and industrial designers in Tennessee earn at least $108,430 a year. The top 25% earn $85,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial and industrial designers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,330 a year, and a quarter of commercial and industrial designers earn $59,930 or less.
How many commercial and industrial designers work in Tennessee?
About 750 commercial and industrial designers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.