Cost Estimator Salary in Knoxville, TN
Cost Estimators in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median $72,900 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,115 take-home, or $5,010 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Knoxville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,208
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,520
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,057
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$60,115
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Knoxville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,760 | $20.56 | $36,538 | $3,045 |
| 25th percentile | $61,700 | $29.66 | $51,756 | $4,313 |
| Median (50th) | $72,900 | $35.05 | $60,115 | $5,010 |
| 75th percentile | $95,900 | $46.11 | $76,296 | $6,358 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,860 | $55.70 | $90,338 | $7,528 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $72,900 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 cost estimator's $60,115 take-home pay has the buying power of $64,941 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cost Estimator jobs are about as common in Knoxville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Knoxville, TN ranks #27 of 90 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $84,710 | $66,268 | $72,999 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $102,640 | $76,125 | $70,313 |
| 3 | New Orleans, LA | $81,170 | $63,884 | $68,992 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls, SD | $76,130 | $62,387 | $68,837 |
| 5 | Nashville, TN | $81,300 | $66,025 | $68,534 |
| 6 | Memphis, TN | $76,660 | $62,760 | $68,085 |
| 7 | Dayton, OH | $79,020 | $63,030 | $67,998 |
| 8 | Worcester, MA | $92,570 | $69,544 | $67,833 |
| 27 | Knoxville, TN | $72,900 | $60,115 | $64,941 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 90 metros →
Cost Estimator salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Nashville, TN — $81,300
- Memphis, TN — $76,660
- Chattanooga, TN — $70,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Knoxville, TN?
The median cost estimator salary in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $72,900 a year, or about $35.05 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,700 and $95,900.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Knoxville, TN?
On the median $72,900 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $60,115 a year ($5,010 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Knoxville, TN a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $64,941 would in a typical U.S. city. Knoxville, TN ranks #27 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator 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) — 22% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
- Management Analyst — $97,470
- Project Management Specialist — $91,690
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $85,570
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $80,820
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $77,700
- Accountant and Auditor — $75,380
- Human Resources Specialist — $67,370
- Compliance Officer — $65,120
- Logistician — $65,030
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $64,400
- Loan Officer — $63,830
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $62,890