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Federal Government Employee Salary in Knoxville, TN — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Knoxville's cost of living (index: 93). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Federal Government Employee Salary in Knoxville — Key Numbers

$90,210
Median Salary
$59,520
25th Percentile
$125,550
75th Percentile
$162,750
90th Percentile
National median (Federal Government Employee)$97,000
vs. National median-7.0%
Knoxville median household income$58,000
vs. City household income+55.5%

Cost of Living in Knoxville

Cost of Living Index
93(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,100/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio14.6%
Annual rent cost$13,200
Median Home Price$285,000
Home Price / Salary3.2×
20% Down Payment$57,000
Years to save (20% rate)3.2 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Knoxville

3.0%
Unemployment Rate
880,000
Metro Population
23 min
Avg Commute
37.4
Median Age

Knoxville has a metro population of 880,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.0% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Financial Calculators for Knoxville

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Take-Home Pay Calculator
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Cost of Living — Knoxville
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Rent vs. Buy in Knoxville
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Budget Planner
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Federal Government Employee Salary in Tennessee
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Knoxville

Physician$213,249Chief Executive Officer$195,300Dentist$163,224IT Manager$157,644Marketing Manager$146,587Lawyer$135,557

Federal Government Employee Salary — Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN$108,640Memphis, TN$81,480Chattanooga, TN$89,240Clarksville, TN$86,330

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Federal Government Employee make in Knoxville, TN?

The estimated median salary for a Federal Government Employee in Knoxville is $90,210 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $97,000 adjusted by Knoxville's cost of living index (93). The typical salary range runs from $59,520 (25th percentile) to $125,550 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $162,750.

Is Knoxville affordable for a Federal Government Employee?

On a $90,210 annual salary, a Federal Government Employee in Knoxville would spend approximately 14.6% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,100/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Knoxville relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $285,000 is 3.2× the annual salary.

How does a Federal Government Employee's salary compare to Knoxville's overall income?

Knoxville's median household income is $58,000. A Federal Government Employee earning the city-adjusted median of $90,210 earns 55.5% more than the typical Knoxville household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Federal Government Employee — NationalFederal Government Employee in TennesseeAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.