SOC 27-1021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Commercial and Industrial Designers — Nashville
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN · 3 metro areas compared
In Nashville, TN the median wage is $68,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Nashville, TN the median wage is $68,020. That is 18.9% lower than the national median of $83,910. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $63,090 and $79,930. The lowest tenth earn under $45,560, while the highest tenth earn more than $103,500.
Knoxville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $70,200. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 206th of 609 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,560 | −45.7% |
| 25th | $63,090 | −24.8% |
| Median (50th) | $68,020 | −18.9% |
| 75th | $79,930 | −4.7% |
| 90th | $103,500 | +23.3% |
| Mean | $75,270 | −10.3% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $70,200 | 100 | |
| 2 | Memphis | $67,830 | 80 | |
| 3 | Chattanooga | $66,500 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Nashville run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $68,020 goes as far as $74,015 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$68,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$74,015US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $68,020 a year, 18.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,560 to $103,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Knoxville, at $70,200.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Commercial and Industrial Designers in Nashville, TN?
The median annual wage is $68,020, or $32.70 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $83,910, so pay in Nashville, TN is 18.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Nashville, TN earns more than $103,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,560 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Knoxville, at $70,200 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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