Engineering Knoxville, TN Pop. 190,740

Marine Engineer Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee

The median marine engineer salary in Knoxville, TN is $85,281 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$85,281
vs State Avg
$-969
vs National
$-11,629
Cost of Living
88%

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

Knoxville offers a median marine engineer salary of $85,281, which is $969 below the Tennessee state average of $86,250. Compared to the national median of $96,910, 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 $85,281 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,910 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for marine engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for marine engineers in Knoxville spans from $51,040 at the 10th percentile to $133,760 at the 90th percentile — a $82,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,560, while senior marine engineers 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.

Marine Engineer Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level marine engineer 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)
$86,240
$-11,760 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$127,600
$-17,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Knoxville, TN

Percentile Knoxville
10th Percentile $51,040
25th Percentile $66,880
Median (50th) $85,281
75th Percentile $109,120
90th Percentile $133,760

Marine Engineer Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$96,910
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$89,157
Pop. 152,769
Chattanooga, TN
$85,281
Pop. 181,099
Memphis, TN
$83,343
Pop. 633,104

How to Become a Marine Engineer in Knoxville

Education

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

Key Skills

Naval ArchitectureMarine SystemsCADPropulsionMaritime LawProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, marine engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Knoxville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Marine Engineer Jobs in Knoxville

Browse open marine engineer positions in Knoxville, TN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Marine Engineer Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Marine Engineer make in Knoxville, TN? ▼
The median marine engineer salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $85,281 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $96,910. Salaries range from $51,040 (10th percentile) to $133,760 (90th percentile).
How much does a Marine Engineer make per hour in Knoxville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,281, a marine engineer in Knoxville earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for marine engineer pay? ▼
Knoxville's median marine engineer salary of $85,281 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $86,250. 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 marine engineer salary of $85,281 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a marine engineer in Knoxville? ▼
Most marine engineer positions in Knoxville require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Naval Architecture, Marine Systems, CAD, Propulsion. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.