Accountant Salary

Germantown vs Knoxville: Accountant Salary (2026)

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

Germantown, TN
$73,999
$35.57/hr
Knoxville, TN
$77,347
$37.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGermantown, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$73,999$77,347
Hourly Rate$35.57$37.19
Entry Level (P10)$48,713$51,787
25th Percentile$62,380$64,347
75th Percentile$94,719$98,434
Top Earner (P90)$114,698$128,960
Total Employed83,240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Germantown ($73,999) and Knoxville ($77,347) accountant salaries.GermantownKnoxvilleMedian Salary$73,999$77,347Entry Level (P10)$48,713$51,787Top Earner (P90)$114,698$128,960US Median $85,864

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Germantown.

The salary gap between Germantown and Knoxville is $3,348 (4.52%). Knoxville's median is -9.92% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Germantown spans $65,985,Knoxville spans $77,173. Knoxville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced accountants.

Germantown
P10 (Entry)$48,713
P25$62,380
Median$73,999
P75$94,719
P90 (Top)$114,698
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$51,787
P25$64,347
Median$77,347
P75$98,434
P90 (Top)$128,960

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($83,556 effective) pays 3.66% more than Germantown ($80,609 effective).

Germantown
Nominal: $73,999
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $80,609
Knoxville
Nominal: $77,347
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $83,556

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Germantown if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,347/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,960)
  • Larger job market (3,240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,556)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Germantown grew 9.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.3% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Germantown, TN

+9.1%

$66,118 (2024) → $72,117 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+18.3%

$63,700 (2019) → $75,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Germantown or Knoxville?

Knoxville has a higher median accountant salary at $77,347/year, compared to Germantown at $73,999/year — a difference of $3,348 (4.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Germantown and Knoxville?

Germantown accountants earn $35.57/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $37.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Germantown to Knoxville as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Germantown and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Germantown = $80,609, Knoxville = $83,556), job availability (8 vs 3,240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Germantown vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $48,713 in Germantown and $51,787 in Knoxville. The Knoxville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA

Career Analyst

Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Chen, CMAData verified by Amina Khan, MBA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.61% 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 Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov