Electrical Engineer salary in Knoxville, TN
Electrical Engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $108,590 a year ($52.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,210 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $120,630. Pay here is 4% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $104,450. There are 1.5 electrical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $115,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for electrical engineers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| 25th percentile | $84,220 | $40.49 |
| Median | $108,590 | $52.21 |
| 75th percentile | $132,960 | $63.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,210 | $79.91 |
| Average (mean) | $115,020 | $55.30 |
Half of electrical engineers 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 | $9,049.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,524.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,176.54 |
| Weekly | $2,088.27 |
| Hourly | $52.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Electrical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $123,840 | 440 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $112,870 | 250 |
| Cleveland, TN | $104,280 | 70 |
| Morristown, TN | $100,240 | 30 |
| Jackson, TN | $100,190 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $99,790 | 690 |
| Johnson City, TN | $98,200 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $98,130 | 80 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $95,920 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for electrical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,520 |
| California | $144,040 |
| District of Columbia | $143,000 |
| New Hampshire | $135,710 |
| Washington | $132,710 |
| Texas | $129,450 |
| Idaho | $129,340 |
| Massachusetts | $127,720 |
| Delaware | $126,970 |
| Alaska | $125,970 |
See Electrical Engineer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $96,320 | $46.31 |
| Industrial Engineer | $95,750 | $46.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,650 | $47.91 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $179,660 | $86.38 |
| Environmental Engineer | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $107,100 | $51.49 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $118,020 | $56.74 |
| Materials Engineer | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $129,840 | $62.42 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $94,310 | $45.34 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,060 | $32.24 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2071. 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 electrical engineer make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for electrical engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $108,590 a year, or $52.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid electrical engineers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of electrical engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $166,210 a year. The top 25% earn $132,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for electrical engineers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,120 a year, and a quarter of electrical engineers earn $84,220 or less.
How many electrical engineers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 630 electrical engineers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.