Industrial Engineer salary in Knoxville, TN
Industrial Engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $95,750 a year ($46.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 960 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,320 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $102,440. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $99,080. There are 2.3 industrial engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial engineers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,410 | $32.89 |
| 25th percentile | $81,660 | $39.26 |
| Median | $95,750 | $46.04 |
| 75th percentile | $109,230 | $52.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,320 | $63.62 |
| Average (mean) | $99,060 | $47.63 |
Half of industrial 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 | $7,979.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,989.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,682.69 |
| Weekly | $1,841.35 |
| Hourly | $46.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Industrial Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $102,540 | 2,000 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $100,480 | 1,540 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $99,410 | 930 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $98,000 | 280 |
| Morristown, TN | $97,310 | 140 |
| Cleveland, TN | $96,360 | 120 |
| Jackson, TN | $94,060 | 200 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $91,000 | 340 |
| Johnson City, TN | $84,160 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for industrial engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $156,510 |
| Washington | $129,050 |
| Oregon | $128,290 |
| New Mexico | $128,090 |
| California | $124,600 |
| Hawaii | $123,800 |
| Louisiana | $122,920 |
| Wyoming | $122,070 |
| Delaware | $120,190 |
| Maryland | $119,930 |
See Industrial 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 |
| 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 17-2112. 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 industrial engineer make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for industrial engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $95,750 a year, or $46.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial engineers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of industrial engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $132,320 a year. The top 25% earn $109,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial engineers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,410 a year, and a quarter of industrial engineers earn $81,660 or less.
How many industrial engineers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 960 industrial engineers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.