Chief Executive Salary in Knoxville, TN
Chief Executives in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median $198,890 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $148,099 take-home, or $12,342 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chief executive salary in Knoxville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$36,468
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,884
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$148,099
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Chief Executive pay by experience in Knoxville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,940 | $32.18 | $55,922 | $4,660 |
| 25th percentile | $106,670 | $51.28 | $83,872 | $6,989 |
| Median (50th) | $198,890 | $95.62 | $148,099 | $12,342 |
| 75th percentile | $299,840+ | $144.15 | $215,077 | $17,923 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $444,320+ | $213.62 | $305,593 | $25,466 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $198,890 buys in Knoxville, TN
Prices in Knoxville, TN are 7.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 17% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chief executive's $148,099 take-home pay has the buying power of $159,988 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chief Executive jobs are about as common in Knoxville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for chief executives, adjusted for cost of living
Knoxville, TN ranks #29 of 55 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $239,200+ | $259,032 | $233,083 |
| 2 | Bridgeport, CT | $239,200+ | $247,855 | $231,935 |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | $239,200+ | $220,744 | $226,758 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $239,200+ | $227,744 | $220,918 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $239,200+ | $226,413 | $218,556 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $239,200+ | $213,626 | $218,302 |
| 7 | Des Moines, IA | $239,200+ | $199,056 | $217,070 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $239,200+ | $227,767 | $216,055 |
| 29 | Knoxville, TN | $198,890 | $148,099 | $159,988 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 55 metros →
Chief Executive salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Chattanooga, TN — $209,990
- Nashville, TN — $218,190
- Memphis, TN — $196,680
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Knoxville, TN?
The median chief executive salary in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $198,890 a year, or about $95.62 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $106,670 and $239,200+.
What is a chief executive’s take-home pay in Knoxville, TN?
On the median $198,890 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $148,099 a year ($12,342 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Knoxville, TN a good place to work as a chief executive?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $213,990. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $159,988 would in a typical U.S. city. Knoxville, TN ranks #29 of 55 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chief executive afford rent in Knoxville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Knoxville, TN is $1,126 a month ($1,401 for two bedrooms) — 9% of a median chief executive’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $162,950
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $143,650
- Financial Manager — $133,570
- Human Resources Manager — $132,200
- Marketing Manager — $131,040
- Administrative Services Manager — $125,470
- Industrial Production Manager — $120,020
- Sales Manager — $119,380
- General and Operations Manager — $104,590
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $104,250
- Managers, All Other — $101,930
- Construction Manager — $101,910