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

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Memphis: $88K Median

Mechanical Engineers in Memphis, TN earn between $57K and $135K per year.

That's -12% below the US national median of $99,510 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Mechanical Engineer salary in Memphis, TN is $87,569 per year — -12% below the US national median of $99,510. Salaries range from $57,200 (entry, 25th percentile) to $134,640 (90th percentile). Mechanical Engineers in Memphis earned approximately $15,363 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$87,569
+470.0% YoY · $7,297/mo
Entry
$61,600
0–2 years
Experienced
$114,400
5+ years
Top 10%
$134,640
Senior/lead
Mechanical Engineer Salary — Memphis vs Nearby
Memphis
$88K
Nashville
$100K
-12% vs Memphis
El Paso
$85K
+4% vs Memphis
Tulsa
$88K
+0% vs Memphis

Free ATS scan · Memphis employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Mechanical Engineers in Memphis

Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal devices, including tools, engines, and machines.

Core Responsibilities

  • CAD design (SolidWorks, AutoCAD)
  • Prototype development
  • Failure analysis
  • Manufacturing support
  • Project management

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (ABET-accredited preferred)

In-demand certifications

PE (Professional Engineer)PMPSix SigmaSolidWorks Certified

Memphis Job Market

Logistics capital home to FedEx headquarters with major healthcare presence.

Population
633K
Cost of Living
85
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Memphis

Logistics (FedEx)HealthcareManufacturingMusic/Tourism

Top Employers Hiring Mechanical Engineers

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

Boeing
Lockheed Martin
GE
Tesla
Ford
Caterpillar
Honeywell

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 Mechanical Engineer listings.

EV designRoboticsAdditive manufacturingAI in CADSustainability engineering

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

SolidWorksAutoCADGD&TFEACFDCAD/CAMMATLABmanufacturingthermodynamics
Career Outlook
+11% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Mechanical engineering employment growing 11% through 2034. Strong demand in EV, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors.

Mechanical Engineer Salary Breakdown — Memphis

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$57,200$87,569$134,640
Monthly$4,767$7,297$11,220
Weekly$1,100$1,684$2,589
Hourly$28$42$65

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,510) adjusted for Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Mechanical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Memphis

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$69,902.792
Per month$5,825
Biweekly paycheck$2,689
Effective tax rate20.2%

Tax Breakdown on $87,569

Gross salary$87,569
Federal income tax−$10,967.18
Tennessee state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,699.028
Take-home (net)$69,902.792

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.

Mechanical Engineer Salary by Experience — Memphis

Career-stage progression for Mechanical Engineers in Memphis.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$56,672
2–3 yr$61,600
4–6 yr$88,000
7–10 yr$114,400
11–15 yr$134,992
15+ yr$124,520

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Memphis's 0.88× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,363
2026 median:$87,569
Change:+$72,206

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for EV design and Robotics.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$103,022
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Mechanical Engineer Salary in Memphis

Walk-away anchor: $78,187 (offers below this are below market for Memphis).

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 $114K–$135K for experienced roles, citing Memphis market data and your specific EV design/Robotics expertise.

Mechanical Engineer Salary FAQ — Memphis

What is the average Mechanical Engineer salary in Memphis, TN?
The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Memphis is $87,569 per year as of April 2026 — $7,297/month, $1,684/week, or about $42/hour. Salaries range from $57,200 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $134,640 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×).
Is $87,569 a good Mechanical Engineer salary in Memphis?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Memphis's cost-of-living index is 85 (vs 100 nationally), giving $87,569 a real purchasing power of approximately $103,022 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $87,569 in Memphis?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Memphis specifically (median home price $175,000), a $87,569 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $87,569 enough for a single person in Memphis?
A single adult in Memphis typically needs ~$38,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $87,569 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $87,569 enough for a couple in Memphis?
A couple (one earner) in Memphis typically needs ~$61,200 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $87,569 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $87,569 each ($175,138 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $87,569 enough for a family of 4 in Memphis?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Memphis typically needs ~$93,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $87,569 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 Memphis. Childcare costs in Memphis typically run $13K-$24K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in Memphis?
On a $87,569 Mechanical Engineer salary in Memphis, TN, you take home approximately $69,902.792 per year ($5,825/month, $2,689 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,967.18, state $0, FICA $6,699.028. Effective tax rate: 20.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Mechanical Engineers in Memphis earn compared to the US average?
Mechanical Engineers in Memphis earn approximately 12% less than the US national median for this role ($99,510 nationally vs $87,569 in Memphis). However, Memphis's cost-of-living index of 85 means real purchasing power is approximately $103,022 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Mechanical Engineer earn in Memphis?
Entry-level Mechanical Engineers in Memphis typically start at around $61,600 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Mechanical Engineers earn $114,400 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $134,640+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Mechanical Engineer salaries in Memphis increase in 2026?
Yes — Mechanical Engineer salaries in Memphis grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $15,363 in 2025 to $87,569 in 2026 (+$72,206). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by EV design and Robotics demand.
What's the job outlook for Mechanical Engineers in Memphis?
Mechanical engineering employment growing 11% through 2034. Strong demand in EV, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors. Memphis's top industries include Logistics (FedEx), Healthcare, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Mechanical Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Mechanical Engineers are: EV design, Robotics, Additive manufacturing, AI in CAD, Sustainability engineering. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Memphis.
Who are the top employers hiring Mechanical Engineers in Memphis?
Top employers hiring Mechanical Engineers in or near Memphis include: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, GE, Tesla, Ford, Caterpillar. 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 Mechanical Engineer salary in Memphis?
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 Mechanical Engineer salary in Memphis?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (EV design, Robotics, Additive manufacturing) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE (Professional Engineer) or PMP). (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 Mechanical Engineer in Memphis?
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (ABET-accredited preferred) is the typical path. However, Memphis's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Mechanical Engineer salary figures for Memphis are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,510) by Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.88× — 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 Memphis

Civil Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Jacksonville, FL$92KEl Paso, TX$85KNashville, TN$100KOklahoma City, OK$88KLouisville, KY$91KAlbuquerque, NM$90KTucson, AZ$90KTulsa, OK$88K

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