Petroleum Engineer Salary in Knoxville, TN: $115,984 (2026)

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

Knoxville offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984, which is $1,318 below the Tennessee state average of $117,302. Compared to the national median of $131,800, 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 $115,984 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Knoxville spans from $70,400 at the 10th percentile to $177,760 at the 90th percentile — a $107,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,920, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $171,600. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $73,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $171,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$73,920

$-10,080 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$117,920

$-16,080 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$171,600

$-23,400 vs national

Percentile	Knoxville	TN State	National
10th Percentile	$70,400	$71,200	$80,000
25th Percentile	$89,760	$90,780	$102,000
Median (50th)	$115,984	$117,302	$131,800
75th Percentile	$147,840	$149,520	$168,000
90th Percentile	$177,760	$179,780	$202,000

Percentile

Knoxville

10th Percentile

$70,400

25th Percentile

$89,760

Median (50th)

$115,984

75th Percentile

$147,840

90th Percentile

$177,760

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Knoxville

Education

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

Key Skills

Reservoir EngineeringDrillingGeologySimulation SoftwareProject ManagementData Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, petroleum engineer 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: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Knoxville, TN? ▼

The median petroleum engineer salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $115,984 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $70,400 (10th percentile) to $177,760 (90th percentile).

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Knoxville? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $115,984, a petroleum engineer in Knoxville earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

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

Knoxville's median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $117,302. 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 petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

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

Most petroleum engineer positions in Knoxville require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Geology, Simulation Software. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee