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2026 Salary Data — Nashville, TN
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Nashville: $96K Median

Civil Engineers in Nashville, TN earn between $65K and $145K per year.

That's +0% above the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Nashville, TN is $95,890 per year — +0% above the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $65,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $144,610 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Nashville earned approximately $16,823 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$95,890
+470.0% YoY · $7,991/mo
Entry
$65,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$125,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$144,610
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Nashville vs Nearby
Nashville
$96K
Memphis
$84K
+14% vs Nashville
Fresno
$91K
+5% vs Nashville
Colorado Springs
$96K
+0% vs Nashville

Free ATS scan · Nashville employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Nashville

Civil engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure projects: roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, and more.

Core Responsibilities

  • Design infrastructure
  • Project management
  • Site inspection
  • Construction documents
  • Code compliance

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles

In-demand certifications

PE (Professional Engineer)LEEDPMPOSHA 30

Nashville Job Market

Healthcare capital with booming music, tech, and tourism industries.

Population
689K
Cost of Living
105
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.4%
Median Home
$460K

Top Industries in Nashville

HealthcareMusic/EntertainmentTechFinanceTourism

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Nashville or hiring remotely from this metro.

AECOM
Bechtel
Jacobs
Kiewit
Skanska
state DOTs
municipal governments

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Civil Engineer listings.

BIM (Revit)Sustainability/LEEDClimate-resilient designSmart citiesDrone surveying

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

AutoCADCivil 3Dproject managementstructural analysisPE licenseLEEDRevitsite planning
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034.

Civil Engineer Salary Breakdown — Nashville

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$65,000$95,890$144,610
Monthly$5,417$7,991$12,051
Weekly$1,250$1,844$2,781
Hourly$31$46$70

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Nashville

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$75,756.615
Per month$6,313
Biweekly paycheck$2,914
Effective tax rate21.0%

Tax Breakdown on $95,890

Gross salary$95,890
Federal income tax−$12,797.8
Tennessee state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,335.585
Take-home (net)$75,756.615

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Civil Engineer Salary by Experience — Nashville

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Nashville.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$59,800
2–3 yr$65,000
4–6 yr$95,000
7–10 yr$125,000
11–15 yr$147,500
15+ yr$134,805

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Nashville's 1.00× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$16,823
2026 median:$95,890
Change:+$79,067

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$91,324
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Nashville

Walk-away anchor: $85,616 (offers below this are below market for Nashville).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $125K–$145K for experienced roles, citing Nashville market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Nashville

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Nashville, TN?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Nashville is $95,890 per year as of April 2026 — $7,991/month, $1,844/week, or about $46/hour. Salaries range from $65,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $144,610 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×).
Is $95,890 a good Civil Engineer salary in Nashville?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Nashville's cost-of-living index is 105 (vs 100 nationally), giving $95,890 a real purchasing power of approximately $91,324 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $95,890 in Nashville?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Nashville specifically (median home price $460,000), a $95,890 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $95,890 enough for a single person in Nashville?
A single adult in Nashville typically needs ~$47,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $95,890 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $95,890 enough for a couple in Nashville?
A couple (one earner) in Nashville typically needs ~$75,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $95,890 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $95,890 each ($191,780 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $95,890 enough for a family of 4 in Nashville?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Nashville typically needs ~$115,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $95,890 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Nashville. Childcare costs in Nashville typically run $16K-$29K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Nashville?
On a $95,890 Civil Engineer salary in Nashville, TN, you take home approximately $75,756.615 per year ($6,313/month, $2,914 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $12,797.8, state $0, FICA $7,335.585. Effective tax rate: 21.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Nashville earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Nashville earn approximately 0% more than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $95,890 in Nashville). However, Nashville's cost-of-living index of 105 means real purchasing power is approximately $91,324 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Nashville?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Nashville typically start at around $65,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $125,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $144,610+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Nashville increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Nashville grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $16,823 in 2025 to $95,890 in 2026 (+$79,067). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED demand.
What's the job outlook for Civil Engineers in Nashville?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Nashville's top industries include Healthcare, Music/Entertainment, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.4% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Civil Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Civil Engineers are: BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design, Smart cities, Drone surveying. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Nashville.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Nashville?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Nashville include: AECOM, Bechtel, Jacobs, Kiewit, Skanska, state DOTs. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Civil Engineer salary in Nashville?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Civil Engineer salary in Nashville?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE (Professional Engineer) or LEED). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Civil Engineer in Nashville?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Nashville's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Civil Engineer salary figures for Nashville are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.00× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Nashville

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$96KPhiladelphia, PA$100KFort Worth, TX$98KColumbus, OH$93KCharlotte, NC$98KMemphis, TN$84KMesa, AZ$94KColorado Springs, CO$96K

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