Software Developer Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Software Developers in Tennessee, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$122,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$58.86
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $135,980
State Rank
#35 of 50
19,030 employed here

How much does a Software Developer make in Tennessee?

A Software Developer working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $122,430 per year, or about $58.86 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $135,980 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $75,280 while the top 10% make $166,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $90,750 and $138,890 a year.

Software Developer salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$75,280$36.19
25th percentile (early career)$90,750$43.63
50th percentile (median)$122,430$58.86
75th percentile (experienced)$138,890$66.77
90th percentile (top earners)$166,380$79.99

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 35th out of 50 states and territories for Software Developer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$174,410
2Washington$166,540
3New York$166,180
4Massachusetts$165,210
5Oregon$142,720

Working as a Software Developer in Tennessee

Nationally, about 1,688,000 people work as Software Developers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($122,430) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Software Developer make in Tennessee?
The median Software Developer salary in Tennessee is $122,430 per year, or about $58.86 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $75,280 at the entry level to $166,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Software Developers about 10% less than the national median of $135,980. Tennessee ranks 35th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Software Developers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $122,430 a year. About 19,030 Software Developers are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Software Developer salary report

Related salaries

Operation Research Analysts

$88,940
median pay · 109,000 employed

Computer Network Architect

$134,050
median pay · 180,000 employed

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

$99,130
median pay · 314,000 employed

Database Architect

$139,500
median pay · 67,000 employed

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$104,300
median pay · 187,000 employed

Web Developer

$92,650
median pay · 70,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.