Understanding Tennessee's Middle Class Income Bracket: Where Does Your Salary Stand?

Tennessee’s economic landscape reveals interesting insights into what it truly means to be middle class in this state. Based on current data analysis, Tennessee residents earning between $44,731 and $134,194 are considered part of the middle class income spectrum, with the upper income tier beginning at approximately $104,373.

Tennessee’s Position in the National Context

To understand these figures better, it’s worth noting that Tennessee’s median household earnings stand at $67,097. This metric serves as the foundation for calculating where residents fall within the economic hierarchy. Compared to wealthier states like Maryland (median earnings of $101,652) and Massachusetts ($101,341), Tennessee’s income profile reflects a more modest earning potential across households.

Breaking Down the Income Tiers

The middle class income bracket in Tennessee spans a considerable range. Those earning the lower end of this spectrum—starting around $44,731—are entering the traditional middle class category. The upper boundary extends to approximately $134,194, representing a significant income gap within the same classification.

What’s particularly revealing is the threshold for upper-middle class status. Tennessee residents who earn $104,373 or more cross into the upper income tier. This means someone could earn over $100,000 annually and still be considered conventional middle class by traditional definitions, depending on where exactly their salary falls.

State-by-State Comparison: Where Tennessee Ranks

When placed alongside neighboring and comparable states, Tennessee’s middle class income range tells an interesting story. States like Virginia offer a slightly higher ceiling with upper income tier starting at $141,515, while North Carolina—another Southern state—sets its upper income threshold at $108,740.

Meanwhile, lower-income states like Mississippi show considerably compressed salary brackets, with their upper middle class beginning at just $85,423. By comparison, Tennessee residents enjoy more breathing room within the middle class designation.

What This Means for Your Financial Planning

Understanding where Tennessee’s middle class income thresholds lie helps residents assess their true economic position. Many Tennesseans earning six figures might be surprised to learn they’re still technically classified as middle class under economist definitions, which typically use the “two-thirds to double the median income” framework.

This classification system was developed by PewResearch and applied across all states using median household income figures from the US Census American Community Survey. The data captures population and household statistics to create a comprehensive picture of each state’s economic distribution.

For Tennessee households specifically, knowing that upper middle class status begins around $104,373 provides a concrete target for financial advancement. Whether you’re navigating career decisions, investment strategies, or long-term wealth building, these income benchmarks offer a realistic framework for understanding where you stand economically within Tennessee and how your earnings compare to national standards.