Retail Salesperson Salary in Knoxville, TN
Retail Salespersons in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median $31,150 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,209 take-home, or $2,267 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Knoxville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,558
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,931
- Medicare (1.45%)$452
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$27,209
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Knoxville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,350 | $11.23 | $20,839 | $1,737 |
| 25th percentile | $27,760 | $13.35 | $24,470 | $2,039 |
| Median (50th) | $31,150 | $14.98 | $27,209 | $2,267 |
| 75th percentile | $36,410 | $17.50 | $31,435 | $2,620 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,520 | $22.85 | $40,362 | $3,364 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,150 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 retail salesperson's $27,209 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,393 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Knoxville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Knoxville, TN ranks #93 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 2 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 3 | Yakima, WA | $36,640 | $31,620 | $33,095 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls, SD | $34,600 | $29,981 | $33,080 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $36,000 | $29,999 | $33,030 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $44,220 | $36,378 | $32,944 |
| 7 | Duluth, MN | $34,650 | $28,986 | $32,654 |
| 8 | Rapid City, SD | $33,350 | $28,977 | $32,500 |
| 93 | Knoxville, TN | $31,150 | $27,209 | $29,393 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
About the job: retail salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Jackson, TN — $30,990
- Kingsport, TN — $31,200
- Nashville, TN — $34,420
- Memphis, TN — $32,580
- Chattanooga, TN — $31,460
- Clarksville, TN — $29,100
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Knoxville, TN?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $31,150 a year, or about $14.98 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,760 and $36,410.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Knoxville, TN?
On the median $31,150 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $27,209 a year ($2,267 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Knoxville, TN a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,393 would in a typical U.S. city. Knoxville, TN ranks #93 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson 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) — 50% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.