Engineering Knoxville, TN Pop. 190,740

Civil Engineer Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee

The median civil engineer salary in Knoxville, TN is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$79,147
vs State Avg
$-900
vs National
$-10,793
Cost of Living
88%

Civil Engineer Pay in Knoxville: What to Expect (2026)

Knoxville offers a median civil engineer salary of $79,147, which is $900 below the Tennessee state average of $80,047. Compared to the national median of $89,940, 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 $79,147 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Knoxville spans from $53,152 at the 10th percentile to $121,968 at the 90th percentile — a $68,816 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,560, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,400. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $54,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$79,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$114,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Knoxville, TN

Percentile Knoxville
10th Percentile $53,152
25th Percentile $64,416
Median (50th) $79,147
75th Percentile $100,320
90th Percentile $121,968

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$89,940
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$82,745
Pop. 152,769
Chattanooga, TN
$79,147
Pop. 181,099
Memphis, TN
$77,348
Pop. 633,104

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Knoxville

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Knoxville and the surrounding Tennessee area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Knoxville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Knoxville

Browse open civil engineer positions in Knoxville, TN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Knoxville, TN? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $53,152 (10th percentile) to $121,968 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Knoxville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,147, a civil engineer in Knoxville earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Knoxville's median civil engineer salary of $79,147 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $80,047. 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 civil engineer salary of $79,147 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Knoxville? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Knoxville require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.