Data Analyst Salary in Knoxville, TN: $61,946 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Knoxville, TN earns a median $61,946/year (≈ $29.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $66,919 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, data analysts in Knoxville, TN, can expect a median salary of $61,946, significantly lower than the national median of $80,394. The salary range reveals considerable variance, with the lowest 10% earning about $41,444 and the top 90% reaching $99,693. This data comes from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, which illustrates the competitive landscape in Knoxville where tech giants and AI startups coexist. In this market, the total compensation difference is stark. While FAANG companies offer lucrative packages augmented by stock options, startups often focus on equity-driven compensation, particularly appealing to those with a higher risk appetite. Traditional industries may provide more stable but comparatively lower pay, shaping the employment dynamics for data analysts in this city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,444 | $19.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,672 | $25.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,946 | $29.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,931 | $41.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,693 | $47.94 |
Median Salary Position
22.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,249 (2026 est.). At $61,946, the local median is 22.95% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Data Analyst Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $61,946/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $80,394 | -22.95% less |
Data Analysts in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $61,946 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.95% lower than the national median of $80,394.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $61,946 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,919 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$75,360
2025 BLS Actual
$59,290
2026 Current Est.
$61,946
2021–2027 Growth
+-14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Knoxville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $75,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,946 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,721 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -21.3% from $75,360 (2021) to $59,290 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,721 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,639 (-14.12%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.48% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,444 – $52,672 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,672 – $61,946 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,946 – $85,931 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,931 – $99,693 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Knoxville
Employment opportunities remain robust for local data analysts, with around 320 professionals in the area contributing to a healthy job market. The cost of living in Knoxville is relatively low, as reflected in its cost-of-living index of 92.569, which suggests that salaries stretch further, providing a comfortable purchasing power for employees. Among the highest-paying employers in the region, FAANG companies and leading tech firms tend to stand out, particularly regarding their equity offerings and total compensation structures. The disparity in compensation is driven by company tier, role specialization, and the educational background of candidates. Top-tier candidates are advised to target roles at well-funded AI startups and FAANG firms where RSUs can represent a significant portion of overall income. Exploring opportunities for career advancement along the IC track can further maximize earnings potential in Knoxville's evolving tech ecosystem.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,290 for data analystsin the Knoxville metropolitan area. A 4.48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.48%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for data analysts (SOC 15-2051).
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