Database Administrator Salary in Knoxville, TN: $88,880 (2026)

Database Administrator Pay in Knoxville: What to Expect (2026)

Knoxville offers a median database administrator salary of $88,880, which is $1,010 below the Tennessee state average of $89,890. Compared to the national median of $101,000, 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 $88,880 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $101,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for database administrators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for database administrators in Knoxville spans from $51,216 at the 10th percentile to $139,929 at the 90th percentile — a $88,713 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,560, while senior database administrators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $127,600. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Database Administrator Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level database administrator earns around $54,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $127,600 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)

$88,000

$-12,000 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$127,600

$-17,400 vs national

Percentile	Knoxville	TN State	National
10th Percentile	$51,216	$51,798	$58,200
25th Percentile	$68,112	$68,886	$77,400
Median (50th)	$88,880	$89,890	$101,000
75th Percentile	$113,168	$114,454	$128,600
90th Percentile	$139,929	$141,519	$159,010

Percentile

Knoxville

10th Percentile

$51,216

25th Percentile

$68,112

Median (50th)

$88,880

75th Percentile

$113,168

90th Percentile

$139,929

How to Become a Database Administrator in Knoxville

Education

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

Key Skills

SQLOraclePostgreSQLMySQLPerformance TuningBackup/Recovery

Job Outlook

Nationally, database administrator employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Knoxville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Database Administrator Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Database Administrator make in Knoxville, TN? ▼

The median database administrator salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $88,880 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $101,000. Salaries range from $51,216 (10th percentile) to $139,929 (90th percentile).

How much does a Database Administrator make per hour in Knoxville? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $88,880, a database administrator in Knoxville earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for database administrator pay? ▼

Knoxville's median database administrator salary of $88,880 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $89,890. 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 database administrator salary of $88,880 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a database administrator in Knoxville? ▼

Most database administrator positions in Knoxville require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include SQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.

Database Administrator Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee