Librarian Salary in Knoxville, TN: $53,847 (2026)

Librarian Pay in Knoxville: What to Expect (2026)

Knoxville offers a median librarian salary of $53,847, which is $612 below the Tennessee state average of $54,459. Compared to the national median of $61,190, 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 $53,847 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Knoxville spans from $34,496 at the 10th percentile to $85,008 at the 90th percentile — a $50,512 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,960, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,440. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Librarian Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level librarian earns around $36,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$36,960

$-5,040 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$54,560

$-7,440 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$77,440

$-10,560 vs national

Percentile	Knoxville	TN State	National
10th Percentile	$34,496	$34,888	$39,200
25th Percentile	$43,120	$43,610	$49,000
Median (50th)	$53,847	$54,459	$61,190
75th Percentile	$67,936	$68,708	$77,200
90th Percentile	$85,008	$85,974	$96,600

Percentile

Knoxville

10th Percentile

$34,496

25th Percentile

$43,120

Median (50th)

$53,847

75th Percentile

$67,936

90th Percentile

$85,008

How to Become a Librarian in Knoxville

Education

Most librarian positions require a master's degree. Knoxville and the surrounding Tennessee area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Information ScienceResearchCatalogingCommunity ProgrammingDigital LiteracyDatabase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, librarian employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Knoxville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Librarian make in Knoxville, TN? ▼

The median librarian salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $53,847 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $34,496 (10th percentile) to $85,008 (90th percentile).

How much does a Librarian make per hour in Knoxville? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $53,847, a librarian in Knoxville earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

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

Knoxville's median librarian salary of $53,847 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $54,459. 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 librarian salary of $53,847 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

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

Most librarian positions in Knoxville require a master's degree. Key skills include Information Science, Research, Cataloging, Community Programming. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.

Librarian Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee