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Design and Development Engineer Salary in Tennessee

How much does a Design and Development Engineer make in Tennessee? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design and Development Engineer in Tennessee is $76,470 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a Design and Development Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,093
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,791 to $81,507
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,441
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Design and Development Engineer Job Openings in Tennessee

Key Factors That Influence Design and Development Engineer Salaries

A Design and Development Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Design and Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Design and Development Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $75,421
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $85,548
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $106,946
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $130,583
  • Expert (over 8 years): $152,969
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Design and Development Engineer less than 1 year $75,421
Product Design Engineer II 1-2 years $85,548
Product Design Engineer III 2-4 years $106,946
Product Design Engineer IV 5-8 years $130,583
Product Design Engineer V over 8 years $152,969

How Do Design and Development Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Design and Development Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $90,602.
  • California: $90,258.
  • Massachusetts: $89,055.

Top Paying Cities for Design and Development Engineer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Cornersville: $75,161
  • Lexington: $73,716
  • Iron City: $71,145

Design and Development Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Design and Development Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Design and Development Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design and Development Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Design and Development Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet $87,941 $42.0 15%
Pharmaceuticals $85,646 $41.0 12%
Biotechnology $84,117 $40.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $82,588 $40.0 8%
Aerospace & Defense $80,294 $39.0 5%

Design and Development Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Design and Development Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$72,791
Average $76,470/year
$81,507
$6,066
Average $6,373/month
$6,792
$1,400
Average $1,471/week
$1,567
$35
Average $37/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $81,507 $6,792 $1,567 $39
Average $76,470 $6,373 $1,471 $37
25th Percentile $72,791 $6,066 $1,400 $35

Find Your Next Design and Development Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design and Development Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Brown Machine Group | Knoxville, TN

    Electrical Design Engineer

    Brown Machine Group | Knoxville, TN

    Job Description. Job Description. BMG is a thermoforming. packaging/automation. solutions leader focused on a customer-centric approach to designing and bu... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Napakiak Ventures | Oak Ridge, TN

    Electrical Design Engineer

    Napakiak Ventures | Oak Ridge, TN

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Overview. Napakiak Environmental and Construction (NEC) is a leading provider of information technology, technolo... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Tews Company | Antioch, TN

    Senior Design Engineer

    Tews Company | Antioch, TN

    Job Description. Job Description. Senior Design Engineer – AV Systems. Location. Remote. Responsibilities. Design and validate integrated AV system solutio... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Sl Tennessee | Clinton, TN

    Development Engineer

    Sl Tennessee | Clinton, TN

    development engineerGeneral Description* Manage the program specific activities required for the introduction of new projects in the plant from quote to SO... more

    9 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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