Cloud Architect Salary in Cookeville, TN: $123,932 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time cloud architect in Cookeville, TN earns a median $123,932/year (≈ $59.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1241). Once you factor in Cookeville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $135,002 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Cloud architects in Cookeville, Tennessee, can expect a median annual salary of $123,932 in 2026, a figure notably lower than the national median of $148,828. The local salary range stretches from $77,552 at the 10th percentile to $179,750 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of expertise, employer type, and the complexities of specific projects. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local living conditions, highlight the choices between working for consulting firms and in-house enterprise roles, which typically influence compensation levels. Understanding the unique job market in Cookeville reveals a niche that favors individuals with relevant cloud skills and certifications, particularly in a region where local demand continues to grow.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,552 | $37.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,298 | $47.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,932 | $59.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,843 | $73.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,750 | $86.41 |
Median Salary Position
16.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cookeville
In Cookeville, TN, the cloud architect salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,198 (2026 est.). At $123,932, the local median is 16.73% below the national median of $148,828.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cookeville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cookeville Cloud Architect Pay Compares
Cookeville median: $123,932/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cookeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $130,454 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $148,828 | -16.73% less |
Cloud Architects in Cookeville, TN earn a median of $123,932 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.73% lower than the national median of $148,828 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $130,454.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cookeville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cookeville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A cloud architect earning $123,932 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,002 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,346
2025 BLS Actual
$120,556
2026 Current Est.
$123,932
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Cloud Architects in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.80% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,346 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,388 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,126 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,556 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,932 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,402 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cookeville metropolitan area, the median cloud architect salary grew 19.0% from $101,346 (2019) to $120,556 (2025). At a 2.80% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,402 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,056 (25.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cookeville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.80% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,552 – $98,298 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,298 – $123,932 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,932 – $152,843 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,843 – $179,750 |
CA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual cloud architect compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Cloud Architect Job Market in Cookeville
The local job market boasts only seven cloud architects, indicating a competitive yet limited field. The cost of living index in Cookeville stands at 91.8, suggesting that while salaries may lag behind national trends, purchasing power remains relatively strong, allowing professionals to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Employers such as consulting giants or major cloud service providers often offer the highest pay, particularly those focused on cloud migration projects. The difference in remuneration is driven by numerous factors, from specialization in AWS to the attainment of advanced certifications like AWS Solutions Architect Professional or Azure SAA Expert. For candidates looking to maximize their cloud architect pay in Cookeville, staying updated with multi-cloud strategies and FinOps can be advantageous. Building a robust professional network and exploring opportunities with firms heavily invested in cloud infrastructure will also help unlock better-paying positions within this burgeoning market.
More salary data for Cookeville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MS
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in cloud architecture. She specializes in cloud security and compliance. She works in a technology consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $120,556 for cloud architectsin the Cookeville metropolitan area. A 2.80% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cookeville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.80%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for cloud architects (SOC 15-1241).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MS, a licensed cloud architect with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov