Civil Engineer salary in Knoxville, TN
Civil Engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $96,320 a year ($46.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,350 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $95,910. There are 2.6 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $107,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| 25th percentile | $76,230 | $36.65 |
| Median | $96,320 | $46.31 |
| 75th percentile | $127,540 | $61.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,350 | $77.09 |
| Average (mean) | $107,580 | $51.72 |
Half of civil 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 | $8,026.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,013.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,704.62 |
| Weekly | $1,852.31 |
| Hourly | $46.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $96,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $98,650 | 2,090 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $96,930 | 140 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $96,100 | 780 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $95,630 | 670 |
| Jackson, TN | $93,070 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $87,510 | 200 |
| Johnson City, TN | $82,470 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 17-2051. 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 civil engineer make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $96,320 a year, or $46.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $160,350 a year. The top 25% earn $127,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,860 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $76,230 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 1,110 civil engineers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.