Software Engineer Salary in Tennessee
Based on 11K+ workers in Tennessee
Median Annual Salary (TN)
$76,470
$36.76/hr
vs National Average
$106,671
-28.3% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$46K – $129K
11K employed in Tennessee
The median Software Engineer salary in Tennessee stands at $76,470 annually, a figure that falls 28% below the national average. This median represents the midpoint for the state's 10,930 software engineering professionals, with actual earnings spanning a wide range from $45,870 to $129,430 per year.
Several factors influence the Software Engineer salary in Tennessee. These include years of experience, the specific technologies an engineer is proficient in, and the size and type of the employing company, whether it's a startup or a large corporation. Location within Tennessee can also play a role, with salaries potentially differing between major tech hubs and smaller towns.
Salary Distribution — Software Engineer in Tennessee
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,870 |
| 25th percentile | $58,030 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $76,470 |
| 75th percentile | $100,890 |
| 90th percentile | $129,430 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Engineer in Tennessee
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Tennessee — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CitiusTech Inc. | 10 | $95,250 |
| 2 | HCA Management Services LP | 8 | $93,454 |
| 3 | Deloitte Consulting LLP | 5 | $81,890 |
| 4 | COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | 4 | $93,454 |
| 5 | Accenture LLP | 3 | $108,700 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Tennessee
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Tennessee.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level II | Qualified | $82,347 | 39 |
| Level III | Experienced | $93,477 | 42 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $104,998 | 18 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Engineers in Tennessee tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $131,760 | 27K |
| Information | $131,720 | 48K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,070 | 25K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $124,530 | 98K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $121,310 | 124K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Engineer in Tennessee vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Tennessee) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $59,750 |
| 2023 | $64,450 |
| 2024 | $65,370 |
| 2025 | $76,470 |
| 2026 (projected) | $81,058 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Tennessee Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $59,750 | $89,712 |
| 2023 | $64,450 | $97,924 |
| 2024 | $65,370 | $101,746 |
| 2025 | $76,470 | $106,671 |
| 2026 (projected) | $81,058 | $113,071 |
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $58,030 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $76,470 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $100,890 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $129,430 |
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Software Engineer Salaries in Tennessee
How other high-demand occupations in Tennessee compare to Software Engineer ($76,470 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in TN | $158,700 | +107.5% | $76.30/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in TN | $130,830 | +71.1% | $62.90/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in TN | $123,860 | +62.0% | $59.55/hr |
| Software Developer in TN | $122,430 | +60.1% | $58.86/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in TN | $115,430 | +50.9% | $55.50/hr |
| Database Administrator in TN | $115,170 | +50.6% | $55.37/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in TN | $108,830 | +42.3% | $52.32/hr |
| Data Scientist in TN | $100,330 | +31.2% | $48.24/hr |
| Statistician in TN | $98,230 | +28.5% | $47.23/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in TN | $95,630 | +25.1% | $45.98/hr |
| Network Administrator in TN | $88,100 | +15.2% | $42.36/hr |
| Multimedia Artist and Animator in TN | $83,080 | +8.6% | $39.94/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Software Engineer make in Tennessee?
- The median salary for a Software Engineer in Tennessee is $76,470 per year, which breaks down to approximately $37 per hour. The salary range can vary significantly, from $45,870 for entry-level positions to $129,430 for experienced professionals.
What is the average salary for Software Engineers in Tennessee compared to the national average?
- Software Engineers in Tennessee earn, on average, 28.3% less than the national average salary. While the median in Tennessee is $76,470 annually, the national median is considerably higher.
What is the typical salary range for a Software Engineer in Tennessee?
- In Tennessee, Software Engineers can expect their annual salaries to fall within a range of $45,870 to $129,430. The median salary sits at $76,470 per year, offering a good benchmark for the majority of positions.
How many Software Engineers are employed in Tennessee?
- There are approximately 10,930 Software Engineers employed in Tennessee. This indicates a significant market for these roles within the state.