Environmental Engineer salary in Knoxville, TN
Environmental Engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $86,550 a year ($41.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,370 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $107,110. Pay here is 11% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $97,190. There are 0.44 environmental engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $100,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for environmental engineers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| 25th percentile | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Median | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| 75th percentile | $134,260 | $64.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,370 | $82.87 |
| Average (mean) | $100,520 | $48.33 |
Half of environmental 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 | $7,212.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,606.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,328.85 |
| Weekly | $1,664.42 |
| Hourly | $41.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Environmental Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $102,930 | 180 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $100,150 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $88,040 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for environmental engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $130,510 |
| California | $130,410 |
| Oregon | $127,100 |
| Washington | $125,460 |
| Texas | $123,060 |
| Nebraska | $120,620 |
| Idaho | $117,520 |
| Florida | $116,840 |
| Massachusetts | $115,800 |
| Minnesota | $115,750 |
See Environmental 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 |
| Electrical Engineer | $108,590 | $52.21 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $179,660 | $86.38 |
| 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 17-2081. 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 environmental engineer make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for environmental engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $86,550 a year, or $41.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid environmental engineers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of environmental engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $172,370 a year. The top 25% earn $134,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for environmental engineers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,630 a year, and a quarter of environmental engineers earn $62,630 or less.
How many environmental engineers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 190 environmental engineers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.