Engineering Knoxville, TN Pop. 190,740

Industrial Engineer Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee

The median industrial engineer salary in Knoxville, TN is $83,864 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$83,864
vs State Avg
$-953
vs National
$-11,436
Cost of Living
88%

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

Knoxville offers a median industrial engineer salary of $83,864, which is $953 below the Tennessee state average of $84,817. Compared to the national median of $95,300, 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 $83,864 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $95,300 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for industrial engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for industrial engineers in Knoxville spans from $53,680 at the 10th percentile to $130,240 at the 90th percentile — a $76,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $56,320, while senior industrial engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,960. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Industrial Engineer Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level industrial engineer earns around $56,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$56,320
$-7,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$84,480
$-11,520 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$124,960
$-17,040 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Knoxville, TN

Percentile Knoxville
10th Percentile $53,680
25th Percentile $66,880
Median (50th) $83,864
75th Percentile $105,600
90th Percentile $130,240

Industrial Engineer Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

How to Become a Industrial Engineer in Knoxville

Education

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

Key Skills

Lean ManufacturingSix SigmaProcess OptimizationAutoCADStatistical AnalysisOperations Research

Job Outlook

Nationally, industrial engineer employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Knoxville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Industrial Engineer Jobs in Knoxville

Browse open industrial engineer positions in Knoxville, TN:

Frequently Asked Questions: Industrial Engineer Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Industrial Engineer make in Knoxville, TN? ▼
The median industrial engineer salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $83,864 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $95,300. Salaries range from $53,680 (10th percentile) to $130,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Industrial Engineer make per hour in Knoxville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $83,864, a industrial engineer in Knoxville earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for industrial engineer pay? ▼
Knoxville's median industrial engineer salary of $83,864 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $84,817. 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 industrial engineer salary of $83,864 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a industrial engineer in Knoxville? ▼
Most industrial engineer positions in Knoxville require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Process Optimization, AutoCAD. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.