2021 Industrial Wage & Benefit Survey
The Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) at Middle Tennessee State University conducted a 40-county wage and benefit survey, primarily of manufacturing and distribution companies, in Middle Tennessee. Survey reports and analysis are prepared for the 40-county Middle Tennessee region and sub-regions (single counties or groups of counties) according to participation levels.
The 2021 full reports are now available. Contact the BERC at 615-898-2610 or email berc@mtsu.edu for more information.
For information about participating in the 2023 Survey, click here.
Summary Infographics
Download the PDF summary of the results below by clicking on corresponding the boxes.
Note: Region 7 data was not included in this section.
About the Survey
The Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) at Middle Tennessee State University conducted a 40-county wage and benefit survey, primarily of manufacturing and distribution companies, in Middle Tennessee between February 1 and March 29, 2021. The survey was sponsored by USDA Rural Development, Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association (MTIDA), Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, and TVA Economic Development, with support of regional partners – Middle Tennessee Regional Workforce Boards, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Nashville Regional Council, South Central Tennessee Development District, Upper Cumberland Development District, Tennessee Central Economic Authority, The Highlands Economic Partnership, and Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
The purpose of the survey project is to provide local economic development officials and human resource managers a clear understanding of the compensation structure of key occupations in the region.
Across the region, 1,266 companies were invited to participate in this online wage and benefit survey. As of March 29, 2021, BERC received 309 completed surveys with an overall response rate of 24.4 percent. The 309 companies employed 53,758 people. MTSU understands the importance of confidentiality, and responses are only known to MTSU staff.
