Knoxville Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Knoxville, TN: $25.24/hr median hourly wage, $52,500 median annual salary, cost of living index 88, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Tennessee taxes.
Knoxville Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Knoxville, TN is $25.24/hr, equivalent to $52,500 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $15.65/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $35.84/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$52,500
$25.24/hr
Cost of Living
88
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Knoxville, TN Overview
Population
190,740
Median Salary
$52,500
Average Salary
$58,500
Avg Commute
22 min
Median Home Price
$250,000
Median Rent
$1,050/mo
Job Growth
+1.8%
Sales Tax
9.25%
Knoxville is located in Tennessee with a population of 190,740. The median household salary is $52,500 per year ($25.24/hour), which is $6,884 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 22 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.8%.
Knoxville Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Knoxville, TN based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $52,500 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 | $32,550 | $15.65/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $52,500 | $25.24/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $74,550 | $35.84/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $93,450 | $44.93/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.
Knoxville Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Knoxville, TN, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$44,364
$3,696.98/month · $1,706.30/biweekly · Effective Rate: 15.5%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,706.30 take-home per paycheck after estimated Tennessee and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$52,500
Federal Tax
-$4,120
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,016
Net Pay
$44,364
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,375.00 | $52,500.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$343.33 | -$4,120.00 |
| Tennessee State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$271.25 | -$3,255.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$63.44 | -$761.25 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,696.98 | $44,363.75 |
Salary Comparison: Knoxville vs Other Cities
See how Knoxville's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $52,500 | 88 | $59,659 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $52,500 | 84 | $62,500 |
| Kansas City, KS | $52,500 | 85 | $61,765 |
| Dearborn Heights, MI | $52,463 | 87.8 | $59,753 |
| DeSoto, TX | $52,546 | 99.5 | $52,810 |
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 Knoxville
Knoxville's cost of living index is 88 (national average = 100). Living in Knoxville is 12% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$250,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,050
Annual Rent Cost
$12,600
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $44,364 annual take-home pay in Knoxville has the purchasing power of approximately $50,413 in an average-cost US area. Your $52,500 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Knoxville
Knoxville's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $52,500.
Salary Tips for Knoxville Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Knoxville has a cost of living 12% below the national average. A salary of $52,500 here has the purchasing power of about $59,659 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. Knoxville's top industries include Education, Healthcare, Energy. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $52,500 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 Knoxville salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Knoxville-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 Knoxville indexed at 88.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Knoxville's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $52,500 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Tennessee state income tax (0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (9.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Knoxville: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Education, Healthcare, Energy — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Tennessee.
- Housing context: median home price $250,000, median rent $1,050/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Knoxville, TN:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Knoxville unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Knoxville 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. Knoxville'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 Knoxville, TN?
The median hourly wage in Knoxville, TN is $25.24 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $52,500 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $15.65/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $35.84/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary in Knoxville, TN is $52,500 per year, or $25.24 per hour. The average salary is $58,500. This is $6,884 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Knoxville, TN?
Knoxville's cost of living index is 88 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $250,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,050.
What are the best industries in Knoxville?
The top industries in Knoxville, TN include Education, Healthcare, Energy. The city has a job growth rate of 1.8% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $52,500.
How does Knoxville's salary compare to other cities?
Knoxville's median salary of $52,500 is 11.6% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 88), the real purchasing power is approximately $59,659.
What is the minimum wage in Knoxville, TN?
The minimum wage in Knoxville, 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.