Creative & Education Knoxville, TN Pop. 190,740

Social Worker Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee

The median social worker salary in Knoxville, TN is $48,708 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$48,708
vs State Avg
$-554
vs National
$-6,642
Cost of Living
88%

Social Worker Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level social worker earns around $33,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $72,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$33,440
$-4,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$49,280
$-6,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$72,160
$-9,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Knoxville, TN

Percentile Knoxville
10th Percentile $32,032
25th Percentile $38,896
Median (50th) $48,708
75th Percentile $61,952
90th Percentile $77,264

Social Worker Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$55,350
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$50,922
Pop. 152,769
Chattanooga, TN
$48,708
Pop. 181,099
Memphis, TN
$47,601
Pop. 633,104

How to Become a Social Worker in Knoxville

Education

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

Key Skills

Case ManagementCounselingCrisis InterventionCommunity ResourcesAdvocacyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, social worker employment is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Knoxville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Social Worker Jobs in Knoxville

Browse open social worker positions in Knoxville, TN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Social Worker Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Social Worker make in Knoxville, TN? ▼
The median social worker salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $48,708 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $55,350. Salaries range from $32,032 (10th percentile) to $77,264 (90th percentile).
How much does a Social Worker make per hour in Knoxville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $48,708, a social worker in Knoxville earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for social worker pay? ▼
Knoxville's median social worker salary of $48,708 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $49,262. 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 social worker salary of $48,708 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a social worker in Knoxville? ▼
Most social worker positions in Knoxville require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Case Management, Counseling, Crisis Intervention, Community Resources. The job market is projected to grow 7% nationally over the next decade.