Civil Engineer Salary in Knoxville, TN
Civil Engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median $96,320 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,591 take-home, or $6,383 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Knoxville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,360
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,972
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,397
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$76,591
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Knoxville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,860 | $30.70 | $53,492 | $4,458 |
| 25th percentile | $76,230 | $36.65 | $62,458 | $5,205 |
| Median (50th) | $96,320 | $46.31 | $76,591 | $6,383 |
| 75th percentile | $127,540 | $61.32 | $98,440 | $8,203 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,350 | $77.09 | $120,865 | $10,072 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $96,320 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 civil engineer's $76,591 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,739 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Civil Engineer jobs are about as common in Knoxville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Knoxville, TN ranks #22 of 125 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | $94,214 | $94,139 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | $84,938 | $93,565 |
| 3 | Mobile, AL | $107,810 | $79,549 | $90,296 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | $82,116 | $88,681 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | $78,969 | $87,132 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | $76,595 | $85,856 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | $90,657 | $84,988 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | $76,021 | $84,425 |
| 22 | Knoxville, TN | $96,320 | $76,591 | $82,739 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Civil Engineer salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Chattanooga, TN — $95,630
- Memphis, TN — $96,100
- Nashville, TN — $98,650
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Knoxville, TN?
The median civil engineer salary in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $96,320 a year, or about $46.31 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $76,230 and $127,540.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Knoxville, TN?
On the median $96,320 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $76,591 a year ($6,383 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Knoxville, TN a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,739 would in a typical U.S. city. Knoxville, TN ranks #22 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer 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) — 18% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
- Electrical Engineer — $108,590
- Engineers, All Other — $99,650
- Mechanical Engineer — $99,070
- Industrial Engineer — $95,750
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $48,830