Agriculture & Environment Knoxville, TN Pop. 190,740

Park Ranger Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee

The median park ranger salary in Knoxville, TN is $37,400 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$37,400
vs State Avg
$-425
vs National
$-5,100
Cost of Living
88%

Park Ranger Pay in Knoxville: What to Expect (2026)

Knoxville offers a median park ranger salary of $37,400, which is $425 below the Tennessee state average of $37,825. Compared to the national median of $42,500, 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 $37,400 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $42,500 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for park rangers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for park rangers in Knoxville spans from $24,640 at the 10th percentile to $63,360 at the 90th percentile — a $38,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $26,400, while senior park rangers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $59,840. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Park Ranger Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level park ranger earns around $26,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $59,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$26,400
$-3,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$38,720
$-5,280 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$59,840
$-8,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Knoxville, TN

Percentile Knoxville
10th Percentile $24,640
25th Percentile $29,920
Median (50th) $37,400
75th Percentile $51,040
90th Percentile $63,360

Park Ranger Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$42,500
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$39,100
Pop. 152,769
Chattanooga, TN
$37,400
Pop. 181,099
Memphis, TN
$36,550
Pop. 633,104

How to Become a Park Ranger in Knoxville

Education

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

Key Skills

ConservationLaw EnforcementPublic EducationWildlife ManagementEmergency ResponseOutdoor Skills

Job Outlook

Nationally, park ranger 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 Park Ranger Jobs in Knoxville

Browse open park ranger positions in Knoxville, TN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Park Ranger Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Park Ranger make in Knoxville, TN? ▼
The median park ranger salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $37,400 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $42,500. Salaries range from $24,640 (10th percentile) to $63,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Park Ranger make per hour in Knoxville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $37,400, a park ranger in Knoxville earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for park ranger pay? ▼
Knoxville's median park ranger salary of $37,400 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $37,825. 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 park ranger salary of $37,400 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a park ranger in Knoxville? ▼
Most park ranger positions in Knoxville require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Conservation, Law Enforcement, Public Education, Wildlife Management. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.