Painter (Commercial) Salary in Knoxville, TN — 2026
Painter (Commercial) 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 estimated median Painter (Commercial) salary in Knoxville, TN is $43,472 per year ($3,623/month, $21/hr). This modeled estimate scales Salario's national benchmark (calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median) by the local cost of living index of 88, which is 12% below the national average.
All four figures are Salario estimates (national benchmark scaled by Knoxville's cost-of-living index); BLS does not publish a metro median for this title here.
Painter (Commercial) Take-Home Pay in Knoxville
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $43,472 |
| Federal Tax | -$3,037 |
| State Tax (0.0% eff.) | -$0 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$3,326 |
| Annual Take-Home | $37,110 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $3,092 |
Living Cost Comparison
Painter (Commercial) Requirements
Key Skills
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 22minutes. These local figures come from Salario's city dataset; verify current values with BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics and Census QuickFacts.
Painter (Commercial) Salary in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Salary Percentile Breakdown — Painter (Commercial) in Knoxville
Based on Salario's cost-of-living-adjusted salary tiers for Painter (Commercial) in Knoxville, TN, here is an estimated percentile breakdown:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $31,064 | $15/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $37,268 | $18/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $43,472 | $21/hr | Mid-career, 1-3 years |
| 75th | $60,016 | $29/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $74,536 | $36/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles are approximations, not measured local percentiles: P10, P50, P75, and P90 map to Salario's entry, median, senior, and top salary tiers scaled by the local cost-of-living index, and P25 is interpolated halfway between entry and median. 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
Salario's national dataset models approximately 3.0% salary growth for Painter (Commercial)s over the past 5 years. That national assumption is applied to the Knoxville estimate below; it is not a measured local trend, and it should be compared with cumulative CPI inflation before treating it as a real-terms gain:
Year-over-year, an average Painter (Commercial) can expect a 14.1% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 5 years in Knoxville. Negotiation, certifications (EPA Lead-Safe Certification), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Knoxville vs National Average
The national median Painter (Commercial) salary is $49,400 (BLS OEWS May 2025, Painters, Construction and Maintenance). In Knoxville, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $43,472 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 Painter (Commercial)s, this means: rent typically consumes 34.0% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered rent-burdened), and a median home in Knoxville costs about 6.7× annual take-home. Homeownership in Knoxville on this salary is challenging — most experts recommend keeping home costs to 3-4× income.
Industry Context: Education in Knoxville
Knoxville's economy is anchored by Education, Healthcare, Energy, with 190,740 residents and an unemployment rate of 3.0% in Salario's city dataset. Pay for Painter (Commercial)s can differ by sector, so compare Education employers with other local employers. The local job growth rate in Salario's city dataset is 1.8%, and Salario's job dataset lists a 3.0% growth outlook for Painter (Commercial) roles; check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for the official 2024-2034 projection for the closest matching occupation.
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Painter (Commercial) salaries in Knoxville, TN:
- 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 (the national median is calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 median for Painters, Construction and Maintenance). For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- 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 stored separately in Salario's city dataset.
- 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.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), TN 2026 state income tax brackets after the standard deduction (top rate 0.0%), and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- 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:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine — occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation data (CPI measures price changes, not city-to-city price levels)
- U.S. Census Bureau — Knoxville QuickFacts — population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — official local unemployment rates to verify the Knoxville figure above
Last reviewed: 2026. Salario's salary dataset is refreshed periodically, not automatically; check the linked BLS releases for the latest official data. Painter (Commercial) salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Education vs others in Knoxville), specific skill set (Surface Preparation, Spray Equipment, Color Matching), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Painter (Commercial) salary in Knoxville, TN?
How much does a Painter (Commercial) take home in Knoxville after taxes?
Is Knoxville a good city for Painter (Commercial)s?
What skills are needed for a Painter (Commercial) in Knoxville?
How does Painter (Commercial) salary in Knoxville compare to the national average?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Painter (Commercial) salary in Knoxville, TN?
Salario estimates the median Painter (Commercial) salary in Knoxville, TN at $43,472 per year for 2026. This is a modeled figure: Salario's national Painter (Commercial) benchmark scaled by the local cost of living index of 88, not a measured local wage survey. The modeled entry-level estimate is around $31,064, and the senior estimate is $60,016 or more.
How much does a Painter (Commercial) take home in Knoxville after taxes?
A Painter (Commercial) earning the median salary of $43,472 in Knoxville, TN takes home approximately $37,110 per year ($3,092/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 14.6%.
Is Knoxville a good city for Painter (Commercial)s?
Knoxville, TN has a cost of living index of 88 (below national average). Painter (Commercial)s here earn below the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.0% and top industries include Education, Healthcare, Energy.
What skills are needed for a Painter (Commercial) in Knoxville?
Key skills for Painter (Commercial)s include Surface Preparation, Spray Equipment, Color Matching, Safety, Blueprint Reading. Typical education requirement is Apprenticeship. Valuable certifications include EPA Lead-Safe Certification.
How does Painter (Commercial) salary in Knoxville compare to the national average?
Salario's national median benchmark for Painter (Commercial) is $49,400 (calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median). In Knoxville, the cost-of-living-adjusted estimate is $43,472, which is 12.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.