Childcare Worker Salary in Knoxville, TN
Childcare Workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median $29,590 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,956 take-home, or $2,163 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Knoxville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,371
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,835
- Medicare (1.45%)$429
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$25,956
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Knoxville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,470 | $10.32 | $19,291 | $1,608 |
| 25th percentile | $27,020 | $12.99 | $23,861 | $1,988 |
| Median (50th) | $29,590 | $14.23 | $25,956 | $2,163 |
| 75th percentile | $34,590 | $16.63 | $29,973 | $2,498 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,270 | $16.96 | $30,519 | $2,543 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,590 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 childcare worker's $25,956 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,039 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Knoxville, TN has 1.3× the national concentration of childcare worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Knoxville, TN ranks #92 of 171 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Port, FL | $47,300 | $40,186 | $39,237 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $44,320 | $36,549 | $34,552 |
| 3 | Boulder, CO | $43,380 | $35,836 | $34,064 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $45,720 | $37,504 | $33,964 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $43,710 | $37,301 | $33,564 |
| 6 | Modesto, CA | $41,920 | $34,652 | $33,284 |
| 7 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,030 | $28,521 | $32,546 |
| 8 | Las Cruces, NM | $34,270 | $29,210 | $32,379 |
| 92 | Knoxville, TN | $29,590 | $25,956 | $28,039 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 171 metros →
Childcare Worker salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Nashville, TN — $34,450
- Chattanooga, TN — $28,860
- Memphis, TN — $28,860
- Clarksville, TN — $28,420
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Knoxville, TN?
The median childcare worker salary in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $29,590 a year, or about $14.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,020 and $34,590.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Knoxville, TN?
On the median $29,590 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $25,956 a year ($2,163 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Knoxville, TN a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,039 would in a typical U.S. city. Knoxville, TN ranks #92 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker 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) — 52% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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