Data Analyst Pay

Jackson vs Knoxville: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Jackson, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jackson, TN
$62,497
$30.05/hr
Knoxville, TN
$61,946
$29.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJackson, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$62,497$61,946
Hourly Rate$30.05$29.79
Entry Level (P10)$36,248$41,444
25th Percentile$44,997$52,672
75th Percentile$79,996$85,931
Top Earner (P90)$96,870$99,693
Total Employed16320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jackson ($62,497) and Knoxville ($61,946) data analyst salaries.JacksonKnoxvilleMedian Salary$62,497$61,946Entry Level (P10)$36,248$41,444Top Earner (P90)$96,870$99,693US Median $80,394

Verdict

Jackson and Knoxville are closely matched on overall data analyst compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Jackson and Knoxville is $551 (0.89%). Jackson's median is -22.26% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jackson spans $60,622,Knoxville spans $58,249. Jackson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jackson
P10 (Entry)$36,248
P25$44,997
Median$62,497
P75$79,996
P90 (Top)$96,870
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$41,444
P25$52,672
Median$61,946
P75$85,931
P90 (Top)$99,693

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jackson ($68,080 effective) pays 1.73% more than Knoxville ($66,919 effective).

Jackson
Nominal: $62,497
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $68,080
Knoxville
Nominal: $61,946
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $66,919

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jackson if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,497/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,080)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($99,693)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Jackson grew -29.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -21.3% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Jackson, TN

+-29.8%

$85,207 (2024) → $59,817 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+-21.3%

$75,360 (2021) → $59,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Jackson or Knoxville?

Jackson has a higher median data analyst salary at $62,497/year, compared to Knoxville at $61,946/year — a difference of $551 (0.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jackson and Knoxville?

Jackson data analysts earn $30.05/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $29.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jackson to Knoxville as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jackson and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jackson = $68,080, Knoxville = $66,919), job availability (16 vs 320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Jackson vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $36,248 in Jackson and $41,444 in Knoxville. The Knoxville area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.48% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov