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Financial Advisor Salary in Knoxville, TN — 2026

Financial Advisor salary data for Knoxville, TN — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

The median Financial Advisor salary in Knoxville, TN is $80,960 per year ($6,747/month, $39/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 88, which is 12% below the national average.

Entry Level
$42K
$20/hr
Median
$81K
$39/hr
Senior
$136K
$66/hr
Top Earner
$220K
$106/hr

Financial Advisor Take-Home Pay in Knoxville

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$80,960
Federal Tax-$8,981
State Tax (0.0%)-$0
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$6,193
Annual Take-Home$65,785
Monthly Take-Home$5,482

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$1,050/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio15.6%
Median Home Price$250,000
Cost of Living Index88
City Median Salary$52,500
Financial Advisor vs City Median+$28,460

Financial Advisor Requirements

Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-5 years
Job Growth
4.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

Investment PlanningRetirement PlanningTax StrategyEstate PlanningInsurance

Knoxville Job Market Overview

Knoxville, Tennessee has a population of 190,740 and an unemployment rate of 3.0%. The top industries are Education, Healthcare, Energy. The local job growth rate is 1.8%, and the average commute time is 22 minutes.

Salary Percentile Breakdown — Financial Advisor in Knoxville

Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Financial Advisor in Knoxville, TN, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly EquivalentCareer Stage
10th (lowest)$42,240$20/hrEntry-level, < 1 yr exp.
25th$61,600$30/hrJunior, 1-3 yrs exp.
50th (median)$80,960$39/hrMid-career, 2-5 years
75th$136,400$66/hrSenior, 5-10 yrs exp.
90th (top)$220,000$106/hrLead/Principal, 10+ yrs

Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Financial Advisor compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Knoxville's Education sector.

5-Year Salary Trajectory

Financial Advisor salaries in Knoxville have grown approximately 15.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:

5 Years Ago
$70,400
Adjusted for Knoxville COL
Today (2026)
$80,960
+15.0% vs 5y ago
Projected 2031
$93,104
If growth continues

Year-over-year, an average Financial Advisor can expect a 21.6% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 6 years in Knoxville. Negotiation, certifications (CFP, Series 7/66), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.

Knoxville vs National Average

The national median Financial Advisor salary is $92,000. In Knoxville, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $80,960 is 12.0% below the national figure. This reflects Knoxville's cost of living index of 88 (lower than the national average of 100).

For Financial Advisors, this means: rent typically consumes 19.2% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in Knoxville costs about 3.8× annual take-home. Homeownership is relatively attainable on this salary in Knoxville.

Industry Context: Education in Knoxville

Knoxville's economy is anchored by Education, Healthcare, Energy, with 190,740 residents and 3.0% unemployment as of 2026. Financial Advisors working in the Education sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 1.8%, and Financial Advisor occupations specifically are projected to grow 4.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).

Methodology & Data Sources

How we calculate Financial Advisor salaries in Knoxville, TN:

  1. Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
  2. Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Knoxville index of 88 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
  3. Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
  4. Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), TN state income tax of 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
  5. Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.

Authoritative data sources:

Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Financial Advisor salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Education vs others in Knoxville), specific skill set (Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Strategy), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Financial Advisor salary in Knoxville, TN?
The median Financial Advisor salary in Knoxville, TN is $80,960 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 88. Entry-level Financial Advisors earn around $42,240, while senior-level professionals can earn $136,400 or more.
How much does a Financial Advisor take home in Knoxville after taxes?
A Financial Advisor earning the median salary of $80,960 in Knoxville, TN takes home approximately $65,785 per year ($5,482/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 18.7%.
Is Knoxville a good city for Financial Advisors?
Knoxville, TN has a cost of living index of 88 (below national average). Financial Advisors here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.0% and top industries include Education, Healthcare, Energy.
What skills are needed for a Financial Advisor in Knoxville?
Key skills for Financial Advisors include Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Strategy, Estate Planning, Insurance. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include CFP, Series 7/66.
How does Financial Advisor salary in Knoxville compare to the national average?
The national median Financial Advisor salary is $92,000. In Knoxville, the adjusted salary is $80,960, which is 12.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Financial Advisor salary in Knoxville, TN?

The median Financial Advisor salary in Knoxville, TN is $80,960 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 88. Entry-level Financial Advisors earn around $42,240, while senior-level professionals can earn $136,400 or more.

How much does a Financial Advisor take home in Knoxville after taxes?

A Financial Advisor earning the median salary of $80,960 in Knoxville, TN takes home approximately $65,785 per year ($5,482/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 18.7%.

Is Knoxville a good city for Financial Advisors?

Knoxville, TN has a cost of living index of 88 (below national average). Financial Advisors here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.0% and top industries include Education, Healthcare, Energy.

What skills are needed for a Financial Advisor in Knoxville?

Key skills for Financial Advisors include Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Strategy, Estate Planning, Insurance. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include CFP, Series 7/66.

How does Financial Advisor salary in Knoxville compare to the national average?

The national median Financial Advisor salary is $92,000. In Knoxville, the adjusted salary is $80,960, which is 12.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.