Computer Programmer salary in Knoxville, TN
Computer Programmers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $66,760 a year ($32.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,170 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $100,390. There are 0.27 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $70,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| 25th percentile | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Median | $66,760 | $32.09 |
| 75th percentile | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| Average (mean) | $70,310 | $33.80 |
Half of computer programmers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,563.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,781.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,567.69 |
| Weekly | $1,283.85 |
| Hourly | $32.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $77,880 | 30 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $73,970 | 110 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $68,790 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $121,750 | $58.53 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $53,350 | $25.65 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $66,960 | $32.19 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $85,730 | $41.22 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $87,400 | $42.02 |
| Computer Network Architect | $117,480 | $56.48 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,210 | $49.14 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $85,970 | $41.33 |
| Web Developer | $80,710 | $38.80 |
| Database Architect | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| Data Scientist | $92,640 | $44.54 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1251. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $66,760 a year, or $32.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $102,170 a year. The top 25% earn $78,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,790 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $48,010 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 110 computer programmers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.