Software Developers Salary in Tennessee
Software Developers in Tennessee have a median of $122,430 a year, below the national $135,980 (−10%); the state ranks 35th of 50 states by median. Software Developers earn 2.6 times the median across all occupations in Tennessee ($47,380). Among neighbouring states, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Missouri and Alabama pay more (up to $136,460 in Virginia) and Kentucky, Arkansas and Mississippi pay less (down to $95,330 in Mississippi). Tennessee employs 19,030 software developers, 5.80 per 1,000 jobs, the 23rd largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.53 means it is less common in Tennessee than nationally.
Tennessee vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Tennessee | Hourly | $36.19 | $43.63 | $58.86 | $66.77 | $79.99 | $57.96 | 19,030 | 5.80 | 0.53 |
| Annual | $75,280 | $90,750 | $122,430 | $138,890 | $166,380 | $120,560 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $39.64 | $50.58 | $65.38 | $82.68 | $103.21 | $71.20 | 1,687,890 | – | – |
| Annual | $82,460 | $105,210 | $135,980 | $171,980 | $214,670 | $148,100 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 35th of 50 states
- Rank by employment
- 23rd of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.53
- Jobs per 1,000
- 5.80
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Tennessee's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Tennessee
10 metropolitan areas and 4 nonmetropolitan areas touching Tennessee publish a row for software developers, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $60.87 | $126,610 | $78,410 | $169,070 | 7,750 | 7.05 | 0.65 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $60.38 | $125,580 | $77,520 | $168,000 | 2,270 | 3.71 | 0.34 |
| Knoxville, TN | $58.53 | $121,750 | $68,880 | $161,870 | 2,390 | 5.63 | 0.52 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $55.44 | $115,310 | $70,330 | $159,470 | 430 | 3.62 | 0.33 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $51.32 | $106,750 | $64,230 | $163,130 | 990 | 3.69 | 0.34 |
| Johnson City, TN | $49.67 | $103,320 | $61,840 | $156,610 | 300 | 3.73 | 0.34 |
| Cleveland, TN | $49.33 | $102,600 | $66,090 | $159,260 | 110 | 2.54 | 0.23 |
| Morristown, TN | $49.22 | $102,390 | $63,210 | $156,330 | 50 | 1.08 | 0.10 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46.47 | $96,650 | $63,710 | $161,270 | 310 | 3.00 | 0.28 |
| Jackson, TN | $46.42 | $96,540 | $65,960 | $158,880 | 130 | 1.57 | 0.14 |
| North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $57.70 | $120,020 | $68,910 | $159,990 | 200 | 1.71 | 0.16 |
| South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $57.70 | $120,010 | $75,910 | $166,260 | 270 | 2.47 | 0.23 |
| West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $57.70 | $120,010 | $65,230 | $180,440 | 150 | 1.27 | 0.12 |
| East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $49.57 | $103,100 | $59,450 | $184,540 | ** | ** | ** |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $58.86 | $122,430 | 19,030 | 0.53 |
| Alabama | $58.91 | $122,540 | 17,450 | 0.76 |
| Arkansas | $50.23 | $104,490 | 6,050 | 0.43 |
| Georgia | $62.99 | $131,010 | 49,700 | 0.94 |
| Kentucky | $52.41 | $109,010 | 7,660 | 0.35 |
| Missouri | $60.64 | $126,120 | 20,020 | 0.63 |
| Mississippi | $45.83 | $95,330 | 1,880 | 0.15 |
| North Carolina | $64.76 | $134,710 | 58,470 | 1.09 |
| Virginia | $65.61 | $136,460 | 88,280 | 1.98 |
See the national page for Software Developers (every state ranked) and the Tennessee wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Tennessee estimates.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.