Johnson City Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Johnson City, TN: $17.21/hr median hourly wage, $35,790 median annual salary, cost of living index 85.8, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Tennessee taxes.
Johnson City Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Johnson City, TN is $17.21/hr, equivalent to $35,790 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $10.67/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $24.44/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$35,790
$17.21/hr
Cost of Living
85.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.7%
rate
Johnson City, TN Overview
Population
71,046
Median Salary
$35,790
Average Salary
$40,085
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$225,000
Median Rent
$936/mo
Job Growth
+1.7%
Sales Tax
7%
Johnson City is located in Tennessee with a population of 71,046. The median household salary is $35,790 per year ($17.21/hour), which is $23,594 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.7%.
Johnson City Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Johnson City, TN based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $35,790 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $22,190 | $10.67/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $35,790 | $17.21/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $50,822 | $24.44/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $63,706 | $30.63/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Johnson City Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Johnson City, TN, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$30,937
$2,578.11/month · $1,189.89/biweekly · Effective Rate: 13.6%
Gross Pay
$35,790
Federal Tax
-$2,115
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,738
Net Pay
$30,937
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,982.50 | $35,790.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$176.23 | -$2,114.80 |
| Tennessee State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$184.92 | -$2,218.98 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$43.25 | -$518.96 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,578.11 | $30,937.27 |
Salary Comparison: Johnson City vs Other Cities
See how Johnson City's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City, TN | $35,790 | 85.8 | $41,713 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Dothan, AL | $35,790 | 82.5 | $43,382 |
| Lafayette, IN | $35,789 | 84.8 | $42,204 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $35,794 | 86.2 | $41,524 |
| Pawtucket, RI | $35,795 | 100.5 | $35,617 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Johnson City
Johnson City's cost of living index is 85.8 (national average = 100). Living in Johnson City is 14.200000000000003% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$225,000
Median Monthly Rent
$936
Annual Rent Cost
$11,232
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $30,937 annual take-home pay in Johnson City has the purchasing power of approximately $36,057 in an average-cost US area. Your $35,790 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Johnson City
Johnson City's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $35,790.
Salary Tips for Johnson City Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Johnson City has a cost of living 14.200000000000003% below the national average. A salary of $35,790 here has the purchasing power of about $41,713 in an average-cost area.
- No state income tax advantage. Tennessee has no state income tax, which means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. Invest the savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k) for long-term growth.
- Research top industries. Johnson City's top industries include Healthcare, Music Industry, Automotive. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $35,790 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Johnson City salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Johnson City-TN metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Johnson City indexed at 85.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Johnson City's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $35,790 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Tennessee state income tax (0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Johnson City: 3.7%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Music Industry, Automotive — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Tennessee.
- Housing context: median home price $225,000, median rent $936/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Johnson City, TN:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Johnson City unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Johnson City QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Tennessee — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Johnson City's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Tennessee labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Johnson City, TN?
The median hourly wage in Johnson City, TN is $17.21 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $35,790 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $10.67/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $24.44/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Johnson City, TN?
The median salary in Johnson City, TN is $35,790 per year, or $17.21 per hour. The average salary is $40,085. This is $23,594 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Johnson City, TN?
Johnson City's cost of living index is 85.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 14.200000000000003% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $225,000 and the median monthly rent is $936.
What are the best industries in Johnson City?
The top industries in Johnson City, TN include Healthcare, Music Industry, Automotive. The city has a job growth rate of 1.7% and an unemployment rate of 3.7%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $35,790.
How does Johnson City's salary compare to other cities?
Johnson City's median salary of $35,790 is 39.7% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 85.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $41,713.
What is the minimum wage in Johnson City, TN?
The minimum wage in Johnson City, TN is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.