Materials Engineer salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Materials Engineers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $89,040 a year ($42.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,390 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $91,940. There are 0.07 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $106,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| 25th percentile | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Median | $89,040 | $42.81 |
| 75th percentile | $126,100 | $60.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,390 | $71.34 |
| Average (mean) | $106,390 | $51.15 |
Half of materials 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 | $7,420 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,710 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,424.62 |
| Weekly | $1,712.31 |
| Hourly | $42.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $89,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Materials Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $103,360 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $85,000 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $83,240 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for materials engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $165,600 |
| Maryland | $140,640 |
| Washington | $139,840 |
| Delaware | $131,320 |
| Louisiana | $128,670 |
| California | $128,470 |
| Illinois | $126,620 |
| New York | $125,900 |
| Colorado | $124,030 |
| Alaska | $123,360 |
See Materials Engineer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $98,650 | $47.43 |
| 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 |
| 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 17-2131. 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 materials engineer make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $89,040 a year, or $42.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $148,390 a year. The top 25% earn $126,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,670 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $79,690 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 70 materials engineers are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.