Data Analyst Pay

Knoxville vs Smyrna: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

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

Knoxville, TN
$61,946
$29.79/hr
Smyrna, TN
$62,615
$30.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNSmyrna, TN
Median Salary$61,946$62,615
Hourly Rate$29.79$30.10
Entry Level (P10)$41,444$36,316
25th Percentile$52,672$45,083
75th Percentile$85,931$80,147
Top Earner (P90)$99,693$97,054
Total Employed32012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($61,946) and Smyrna ($62,615) data analyst salaries.KnoxvilleSmyrnaMedian Salary$61,946$62,615Entry Level (P10)$41,444$36,316Top Earner (P90)$99,693$97,054US Median $80,394

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Knoxville and Smyrna is $669 (1.08%). Smyrna's median is -22.11% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $58,249,Smyrna spans $60,738. Smyrna has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced data analysts.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$41,444
P25$52,672
Median$61,946
P75$85,931
P90 (Top)$99,693
Smyrna
P10 (Entry)$36,316
P25$45,083
Median$62,615
P75$80,147
P90 (Top)$97,054

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Smyrna ($68,208 effective) pays 1.93% more than Knoxville ($66,919 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $61,946
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $66,919
Smyrna
Nominal: $62,615
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $68,208

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

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

Choose Smyrna if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,615/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,208)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Knoxville grew -21.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -29.8% growth in Smyrna over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+-21.3%

$75,360 (2021) → $59,290 (2025)

Smyrna, TN

+-29.8%

$85,367 (2024) → $59,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Knoxville or Smyrna?

Smyrna has a higher median data analyst salary at $62,615/year, compared to Knoxville at $61,946/year — a difference of $669 (1.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Smyrna?

Knoxville data analysts earn $29.79/hr while Smyrna hygienists earn $30.10/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Smyrna. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $66,919, Smyrna = $68,208), job availability (320 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $41,444 in Knoxville and $36,316 in Smyrna. 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