Compliance Officer salary in Knoxville, TN
Compliance Officers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $65,120 a year ($31.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,620 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $80,730. Pay here is 2% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $63,960. There are 2.5 compliance officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for compliance officers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,380 | $19.89 |
| 25th percentile | $51,000 | $24.52 |
| Median | $65,120 | $31.31 |
| 75th percentile | $98,790 | $47.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,620 | $57.99 |
| Average (mean) | $75,980 | $36.53 |
Half of compliance officers 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 | $5,426.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,713.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,504.62 |
| Weekly | $1,252.31 |
| Hourly | $31.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Compliance Officer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $72,010 | 1,300 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $68,000 | 750 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $63,860 | 270 |
| Morristown, TN | $62,590 | 60 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $62,210 | 3,200 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $61,930 | 150 |
| Johnson City, TN | $61,520 | 150 |
| Jackson, TN | $59,810 | 160 |
| Cleveland, TN | $55,040 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for compliance officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,030 |
| Massachusetts | $102,060 |
| New Jersey | $100,000 |
| California | $96,980 |
| Connecticut | $91,810 |
| Delaware | $91,050 |
| Vermont | $90,420 |
| New York | $90,080 |
| Washington | $88,790 |
| Rhode Island | $87,620 |
See Compliance Officer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $91,690 | $44.08 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $62,890 | $30.24 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Management Analyst | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,700 | $37.36 |
| Cost Estimator | $72,900 | $35.05 |
| Logistician | $65,030 | $31.27 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $80,820 | $38.86 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $51,200 | $24.62 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $73,540 | $35.36 |
| Fundraiser | $58,940 | $28.34 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $57,320 | $27.56 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1041. 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 compliance officer make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for compliance officers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $65,120 a year, or $31.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid compliance officers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of compliance officers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $120,620 a year. The top 25% earn $98,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for compliance officers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,380 a year, and a quarter of compliance officers earn $51,000 or less.
How many compliance officers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 1,070 compliance officers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.