Technology Knoxville, TN Pop. 190,740

QA Engineer Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee

The median qa engineer salary in Knoxville, TN is $79,200 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$79,200
vs State Avg
$-900
vs National
$-10,800
Cost of Living
88%

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

Knoxville offers a median qa engineer salary of $79,200, which is $900 below the Tennessee state average of $80,100. Compared to the national median of $90,000, 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 $79,200 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $90,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for qa engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for qa engineers in Knoxville spans from $48,400 at the 10th percentile to $124,960 at the 90th percentile — a $76,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $51,040, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $118,800. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

QA Engineer Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $51,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $118,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$51,040
$-6,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$80,960
$-11,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$118,800
$-16,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Knoxville, TN

Percentile Knoxville
10th Percentile $48,400
25th Percentile $63,360
Median (50th) $79,200
75th Percentile $103,840
90th Percentile $124,960

QA Engineer Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$90,000
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$82,800
Pop. 152,769
Chattanooga, TN
$79,200
Pop. 181,099
Memphis, TN
$77,400
Pop. 633,104

How to Become a QA Engineer in Knoxville

Education

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

Key Skills

Test AutomationSeleniumJIRASQLAPI TestingAgile

Job Outlook

Nationally, qa engineer employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Knoxville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Knoxville

Browse open qa engineer positions in Knoxville, TN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Knoxville

How much does a QA Engineer make in Knoxville, TN? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $79,200 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $48,400 (10th percentile) to $124,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Knoxville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,200, a qa engineer in Knoxville earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Knoxville's median qa engineer salary of $79,200 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $80,100. 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 qa engineer salary of $79,200 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Knoxville? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Knoxville require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Test Automation, Selenium, JIRA, SQL. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.