Mechanical Engineer salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Mechanical Engineers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $94,560 a year ($45.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,770 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 5% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $99,550. There are 2.0 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $106,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,090 | $36.10 |
| 25th percentile | $83,950 | $40.36 |
| Median | $94,560 | $45.46 |
| 75th percentile | $128,350 | $61.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,770 | $76.81 |
| Average (mean) | $106,330 | $51.12 |
Half of mechanical 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 | $7,880 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,940 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,636.92 |
| Weekly | $1,818.46 |
| Hourly | $45.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $94,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,990 | 5,390 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $106,660 | 510 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $106,130 | 170 |
| Richmond, VA | $104,130 | 640 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $104,110 | 390 |
| Roanoke, VA | $102,160 | 280 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $100,380 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $100,280 | 2,210 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $99,440 | 990 |
| Knoxville, TN | $99,070 | 760 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $98,400 | 170 |
| Johnson City, TN | $97,040 | 60 |
| Jackson, TN | $96,290 | 80 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $94,630 | 200 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $92,940 | 150 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $84,370 | 190 |
| Morristown, TN | $80,490 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $98,000 | $47.12 |
| Civil Engineer | $87,510 | $42.07 |
| Electrical Engineer | $95,920 | $46.12 |
| Engineers, All Other | $103,330 | $49.68 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,000 | $27.41 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $81,950 | $39.40 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $73,120 | $35.16 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,420 | $39.14 |
| Surveyor | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $48,780 | $23.45 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $94,560 a year, or $45.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $159,770 a year. The top 25% earn $128,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,090 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $83,950 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 240 mechanical engineers are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.