Cost of living

Cost of living in Tennessee: what jobs pay vs rent

Typical rent in Tennessee is about $1,111/mo (population-weighted Census gross rent, utilities included). Here's how 299 common jobs' estimated take-home pay compares.

JobEst. take-homeRent share
Family Physician$14,436/mo8%
Nurse Anesthetist$12,826/mo9%
Chief Executive$11,176/mo10%
Dentist$9,764/mo11%
Architectural and Engineering Manager$9,165/mo12%
IT Manager$8,822/mo13%
Sales Manager$8,634/mo13%
Pharmacist$8,483/mo13%
Marketing Manager$8,470/mo13%
Financial Manager$8,448/mo13%
Lawyer$8,216/mo14%
Purchasing Manager$7,948/mo14%
Administrative Services Manager$7,857/mo14%
Veterinarian$7,686/mo14%
Computer Programmer$7,675/mo14%
Human Resources Manager$7,658/mo15%
Natural Sciences Manager$7,351/mo15%
Physician Assistant$7,250/mo15%
Software Developer$7,193/mo15%
Network Architect$7,176/mo15%
Database Administrator$6,994/mo16%
Optometrist$6,988/mo16%
Nurse Practitioner$6,852/mo16%
Healthcare Manager$6,709/mo17%
Electrical Engineer$6,706/mo17%
Industrial Production Manager$6,650/mo17%
Public Relations Manager$6,571/mo17%
Physical Therapist$6,415/mo17%
Information Security Analyst$6,401/mo17%
Actuary$6,363/mo17%
Mechanical Engineer$6,355/mo17%
Operations Manager$6,353/mo17%
Facilities Manager$6,312/mo18%
Medical Scientist$6,189/mo18%
Occupational Therapist$6,159/mo18%
Systems Analyst$6,142/mo18%
Industrial Engineer$6,034/mo18%
Data Scientist$6,006/mo18%
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$5,940/mo19%
Psychologist$5,849/mo19%
Civil Engineer$5,823/mo19%
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$5,649/mo20%
Construction Manager$5,625/mo20%
Chemist$5,459/mo20%
Management Consultant$5,435/mo20%
Financial Analyst$5,427/mo20%
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician$5,395/mo21%
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product$5,305/mo21%
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester$5,297/mo21%
Network Administrator$5,296/mo21%
Computer Hardware Engineer$5,295/mo21%
Project Management Specialist$5,276/mo21%
Architect$5,226/mo21%
Non-Retail Sales Worker$5,218/mo21%
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairer$5,140/mo22%
Financial Advisor$5,079/mo22%
Speech Pathologist$5,013/mo22%
Web Developer$5,006/mo22%
Sonographer$4,955/mo22%
Registered Nurse$4,953/mo22%
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$4,935/mo23%
Dental Hygienist$4,908/mo23%
Social and Community Service Manager$4,907/mo23%
Accountant$4,744/mo23%
Insurance Underwriter$4,712/mo24%
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$4,660/mo24%
Cost Estimator$4,653/mo24%
Chiropractor$4,600/mo24%
Operations Research Analyst$4,597/mo24%
Mechanics, Installers, and Repairer$4,549/mo24%
Firefighting and Prevention Worker$4,542/mo24%
Police and Detective$4,497/mo25%
Construction Supervisor$4,353/mo26%
Labor Relations Specialist$4,290/mo26%
Detectives and Criminal Investigator$4,206/mo26%
Claims Adjuster$4,194/mo26%
Instructional Coordinator$4,185/mo27%
Credit Analyst$4,136/mo27%
Financial Examiner$4,134/mo27%
Market Research Analyst$4,133/mo27%
Respiratory Therapist$4,111/mo27%
Loan Officer$4,046/mo27%
Special Ed Teacher$4,024/mo28%
Office and Administrative Support Worker$4,018/mo28%
Production and Operating Worker$4,007/mo28%
Postal Service Clerk$4,005/mo28%
Physical Therapist Assistant$4,004/mo28%
Radiologic Technologist$4,004/mo28%
Dietitian$3,983/mo28%
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistant$3,968/mo28%
Producers and Director$3,963/mo28%
Computer Network Support Specialist$3,960/mo28%
High School Teacher$3,957/mo28%
Buyers and Purchasing Agent$3,949/mo28%
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$3,927/mo28%
HR Specialist$3,924/mo28%
Web and Digital Interface Designer$3,905/mo28%
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist$3,892/mo29%
Property Manager$3,884/mo29%
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairer$3,858/mo29%
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$3,831/mo29%
Librarian$3,825/mo29%
Writer$3,824/mo29%
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technician$3,814/mo29%
Biological Technician$3,783/mo29%
Architectural and Civil Drafter$3,776/mo29%
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technician$3,765/mo30%
Surgical Technologist$3,764/mo30%
Compliance Officer$3,755/mo30%
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent$3,741/mo30%
Fundraiser$3,732/mo30%
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$3,724/mo30%
Logistician$3,716/mo30%
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technician$3,714/mo30%
Healthcare Social Worker$3,712/mo30%
Sales Representative$3,666/mo30%
Postal Service Mail Carrier$3,647/mo30%
Diesel Mechanic$3,644/mo30%
Training and Development Specialist$3,632/mo31%
Chef$3,617/mo31%
Electrician$3,600/mo31%
Construction and Building Inspector$3,563/mo31%
Editor$3,548/mo31%
Public Relations Specialist$3,493/mo32%
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$3,437/mo32%
School Counselor$3,435/mo32%
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operator$3,407/mo33%
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tender$3,388/mo33%
Police Officer$3,380/mo33%
Medical Equipment Repairer$3,363/mo33%
Truck Driver$3,354/mo33%
Elementary School Teacher$3,351/mo33%
Interior Designer$3,340/mo33%
IT Support Specialist$3,323/mo33%
Plumber$3,310/mo34%
Paralegals and Legal Assistant$3,283/mo34%
Sheet Metal Worker$3,269/mo34%
Food Service Manager$3,260/mo34%
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner$3,252/mo34%
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$3,241/mo34%
Licensed Practical Nurse$3,236/mo34%
Paramedic$3,221/mo34%
Massage Therapist$3,216/mo35%
Medical Records Specialist$3,207/mo35%
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist$3,190/mo35%
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$3,153/mo35%
Social Worker$3,147/mo35%
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$3,134/mo35%
HVAC Technician$3,123/mo36%
Carpenter$3,122/mo36%
Insurance Agent$3,115/mo36%
Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Worker$3,112/mo36%
Graphic Designer$3,103/mo36%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,102/mo36%
Tax Preparer$3,102/mo36%
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$3,086/mo36%
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk$3,082/mo36%
Automotive Body and Related Repairer$3,078/mo36%
Equipment Operator$3,073/mo36%
Personal Service Worker$3,067/mo36%
Machinist$3,047/mo36%
Correctional Officer$3,045/mo36%
Security Worker$3,039/mo37%
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$3,033/mo37%
Clergy$3,010/mo37%
Auto Mechanic$3,001/mo37%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finisher$2,986/mo37%
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$2,982/mo37%
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$2,957/mo38%
Dental Assistant$2,937/mo38%
Bookkeeper$2,924/mo38%
Welder$2,922/mo38%
Retail Supervisor$2,919/mo38%
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk$2,907/mo38%
Housekeeping and Janitorial Worker$2,905/mo38%
Maintenance Worker$2,891/mo38%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$2,887/mo38%
Audio and Video Technician$2,881/mo39%
Cargo and Freight Agent$2,872/mo39%
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$2,853/mo39%
Opticians, Dispensing$2,835/mo39%
Advertising Sales Agent$2,820/mo39%
Roofer$2,802/mo40%
Rehabilitation Counselor$2,801/mo40%
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,788/mo40%
Loan Interviewers and Clerk$2,775/mo40%
Pest Control Worker$2,767/mo40%
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technician$2,748/mo40%
Firefighter$2,744/mo40%
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Program$2,731/mo41%
Public Safety Telecommunicator$2,691/mo41%
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,687/mo41%
Journalist$2,686/mo41%
Court, Municipal, and License Clerk$2,670/mo42%
Self-Enrichment Teacher$2,668/mo42%
Bill and Account Collector$2,667/mo42%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$2,647/mo42%
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender$2,642/mo42%
Delivery Driver$2,638/mo42%
Billing and Posting Clerk$2,633/mo42%
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,623/mo42%
Admin Assistant$2,607/mo43%
Construction Laborer$2,592/mo43%
Printing Press Operator$2,562/mo43%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weigher$2,558/mo43%
Highway Maintenance Worker$2,546/mo44%
Bus Drivers, School$2,544/mo44%
Painter$2,541/mo44%
Medical Equipment Preparer$2,520/mo44%
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,518/mo44%
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerk$2,500/mo44%
Fitness Trainer$2,496/mo45%
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$2,496/mo45%
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,475/mo45%
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairer$2,473/mo45%
File Clerk$2,458/mo45%
Customer Service Rep$2,455/mo45%
Data Entry Keyer$2,439/mo46%
Ophthalmic Medical Technician$2,438/mo46%
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk$2,434/mo46%
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenter$2,432/mo46%
Pharmacy Technician$2,430/mo46%
Medical Assistant$2,428/mo46%
Food Batchmaker$2,426/mo46%
Social and Human Service Assistant$2,419/mo46%
EMT$2,402/mo46%
Veterinary Technologists and Technician$2,402/mo46%
Butchers and Meat Cutter$2,393/mo46%
Food Service Supervisor$2,393/mo46%
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,380/mo47%
Phlebotomist$2,380/mo47%
Warehouse Worker$2,367/mo47%
Landscaper$2,347/mo47%
Teller$2,339/mo47%
Order Clerk$2,320/mo48%
Office Clerk$2,317/mo48%
Preschool Teacher$2,308/mo48%
Crossing Guards and Flagger$2,300/mo48%
Parts Salesperson$2,298/mo48%
Tutor$2,298/mo48%
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$2,289/mo49%
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$2,288/mo49%
Nursing Assistant$2,278/mo49%
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer$2,263/mo49%
Sports Coach$2,254/mo49%
Couriers and Messenger$2,243/mo50%
Restaurant Cook$2,227/mo50%
Stockers and Order Filler$2,217/mo50%
Slaughterers and Meat Packer$2,216/mo50%
Photographer$2,215/mo50%
Security Guard$2,208/mo50%
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmer$2,198/mo51%
Library Assistants, Clerical$2,197/mo51%
Psychiatric Technician$2,166/mo51%
Counter and Rental Clerk$2,163/mo51%
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$2,157/mo52%
Packers and Packagers, Hand$2,128/mo52%
Skincare Specialist$2,119/mo52%
Driver/Sales Worker$2,105/mo53%
Residential Advisor$2,056/mo54%
Receptionist$2,049/mo54%
Hairdresser$2,048/mo54%
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeur$2,044/mo54%
Tire Repairers and Changer$2,031/mo55%
Baker$2,028/mo55%
Library Technician$2,024/mo55%
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$1,995/mo56%
Janitor$1,962/mo57%
Cooks, Short Order$1,960/mo57%
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$1,958/mo57%
Parking Attendant$1,956/mo57%
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$1,949/mo57%
Retail Salesperson$1,947/mo57%
Animal Caretaker$1,917/mo58%
Recreation Worker$1,910/mo58%
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaner$1,896/mo59%
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerk$1,893/mo59%
Telemarketer$1,893/mo59%
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$1,887/mo59%
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$1,874/mo59%
Home Health Aide$1,862/mo60%
Sewing Machine Operator$1,860/mo60%
Teaching Assistant$1,843/mo60%
Dishwasher$1,838/mo60%
Manicurists and Pedicurist$1,838/mo60%
School Bus Monitor$1,823/mo61%
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helper$1,789/mo62%
Childcare Worker$1,786/mo62%
Fast Food and Counter Worker$1,786/mo62%
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$1,784/mo62%
Cooks, Fast Food$1,763/mo63%
Food Preparation Worker$1,761/mo63%
Server$1,759/mo63%
Cashier$1,758/mo63%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Taker$1,665/mo67%
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$1,589/mo70%
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker$1,579/mo70%
Amusement and Recreation Attendant$1,490/mo75%
Bartender$1,430/mo78%

Pay is BLS OEWS 2023 state median wages after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. It doesn't include state taxes, insurance, transport, or the cost of moving.

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