Architectural and Engineering Managers Salary
The median pay for a architectural and engineering managers in Tennessee is $161,430/year ($77.61/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $106K at the entry level to $239K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $179,806 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 11.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $161K get you in Tennessee?
About architectural and engineering managers
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Architectural and engineering managers pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $161K locally vs. $171K nationwide, a 6% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,215/month, 12% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level architectural and engineering managers (10th percentile) start around $106K. Mid-career wages sit at $161K. Top earners bring in $239K or more, a $133K spread from bottom to top.
Architectural and Engineering Managers salary by metro in Tennessee
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $180K | +11% | N/A |
| Chattanooga | $164K | +1% | 370 |
| Knoxville | $163K | +1% | 610 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $160K | -1% | 1,060 |
| Clarksville | $141K | -12% | 80 |
| Cleveland | $139K | -14% | 50 |
| Jackson | $139K | -14% | 80 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $139K | -14% | 250 |
| Morristown | $136K | -16% | 40 |
| Johnson City | $133K | -18% | 80 |
Compare to other states
Track architectural and engineering managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a architectural and engineering manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $161K, rent takes 12% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for architectural and engineering managers in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new architectural and engineering managers typically earn — is $106K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,359/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 19% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is architectural and engineering manager a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $161K locally vs. $171K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for architectural and engineering managers?
Tennessee pays $161K median vs. the U.S. average of $171K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $180K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do architectural and engineering managers make in Tennessee?
The median is $161,430 a year, that works out to about $78 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $105,980, and experienced architectural and engineering managers can clear $239,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $161K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,091/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 12% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a architectural and engineering managers salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median architectural and engineering managers salary is worth about $179,806 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do architectural and engineering managers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.