Human Resources Specialist Salary in Knoxville, TN
Human Resources Specialists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median $67,370 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,225 take-home, or $4,685 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Knoxville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,991
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,177
- Medicare (1.45%)$977
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$56,225
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Knoxville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,490 | $22.35 | $39,535 | $3,295 |
| 25th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 | $48,976 | $4,081 |
| Median (50th) | $67,370 | $32.39 | $56,225 | $4,685 |
| 75th percentile | $83,200 | $40.00 | $67,361 | $5,613 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,710 | $51.78 | $84,604 | $7,050 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $67,370 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 human resources specialist's $56,225 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,738 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 1.2× the national concentration of human resources specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Knoxville, TN ranks #23 of 62 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $92,770 | $74,094 | $66,671 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $81,100 | $63,157 | $64,728 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $103,140 | $74,686 | $64,600 |
| 6 | Kansas City, MO | $75,190 | $59,130 | $63,894 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $72,930 | $60,136 | $63,491 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $75,440 | $60,610 | $63,486 |
| 23 | Knoxville, TN | $67,370 | $56,225 | $60,738 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 62 metros →
Human Resources Specialist salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Memphis, TN — $69,150
- Nashville, TN — $67,380
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Knoxville, TN?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $67,370 a year, or about $32.39 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $58,240 and $83,200.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Knoxville, TN?
On the median $67,370 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $56,225 a year ($4,685 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Knoxville, TN a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,738 would in a typical U.S. city. Knoxville, TN ranks #23 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist 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) — 24% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
- Project Management Specialist — $91,690
- Accountant and Auditor — $75,380