Personal Care & Fitness Knoxville, TN Pop. 190,740

Barber Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee

The median barber salary in Knoxville, TN is $31,451 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$31,451
vs State Avg
$-358
vs National
$-4,289
Cost of Living
88%

Barber Pay in Knoxville: What to Expect (2026)

Knoxville offers a median barber salary of $31,451, which is $358 below the Tennessee state average of $31,809. Compared to the national median of $35,740, Knoxville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Knoxville's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $31,451 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $35,740 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for barbers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for barbers in Knoxville spans from $20,240 at the 10th percentile to $54,560 at the 90th percentile — a $34,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,000, while senior barbers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $51,040. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Barber Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level barber earns around $22,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $51,040 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,000
$-3,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$32,560
$-4,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$51,040
$-6,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Knoxville, TN

Percentile Knoxville
10th Percentile $20,240
25th Percentile $24,640
Median (50th) $31,451
75th Percentile $42,240
90th Percentile $54,560

Barber Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$35,740
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$32,881
Pop. 152,769
Chattanooga, TN
$31,451
Pop. 181,099
Memphis, TN
$30,736
Pop. 633,104

How to Become a Barber in Knoxville

Education

Most barber positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Knoxville and the surrounding Tennessee area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

HaircuttingShavingClient ConsultationSanitationStylingBusiness Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, barber employment is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Knoxville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Barber Jobs in Knoxville

Browse open barber positions in Knoxville, TN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Barber Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Barber make in Knoxville, TN? ▼
The median barber salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $31,451 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $35,740. Salaries range from $20,240 (10th percentile) to $54,560 (90th percentile).
How much does a Barber make per hour in Knoxville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $31,451, a barber in Knoxville earns approximately $15 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for barber pay? ▼
Knoxville's median barber salary of $31,451 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $31,809. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Knoxville, TN? ▼
Knoxville has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a barber salary of $31,451 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a barber in Knoxville? ▼
Most barber positions in Knoxville require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Haircutting, Shaving, Client Consultation, Sanitation. The job market is projected to grow 7% nationally over the next decade.