Accountant Salary in Knoxville, TN: $77,347 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Knoxville, TN earns a median $77,347/year (≈ $37.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $83,556 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for accountants in Knoxville, Tennessee, is projected to be $77,347, reflecting a competitive but slightly lower pay scale compared to the national median of $85,864. The salary range for this profession in Knoxville is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting around $51,787 and top earners reaching up to $128,960, indicating that the local accounting landscape features a variety of opportunities depending on experience and specialization. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates the existing structural divide between large firms, regional players, and corporate accounting roles. Given the unique market dynamics in Knoxville, where many aspiring accountants are funneled through the Big 4 firms before transitioning to corporate positions, job seekers should remain vigilant about maximizing their earning potential while navigating their career paths.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,787 | $24.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,347 | $30.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,347 | $37.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,434 | $47.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,960 | $62.01 |
Median Salary Position
9.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,173 (2026 est.). At $77,347, the local median is 9.92% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Accountant Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $77,347/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $76,054 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -9.92% less |
Accountants in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $77,347 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.92% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.70% above the Tennessee state average of $76,054.
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 accountant earning $77,347 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,556 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$63,700
2025 BLS Actual
$75,380
2026 Current Est.
$77,347
2019–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,347 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,366 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 18.3% from $63,700 (2019) to $75,380 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,366 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,666 (24.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) 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 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-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) | $51,787 – $64,347 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,347 – $77,347 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,347 – $98,434 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,434 – $128,960 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Knoxville
The Knoxville job market supports approximately 3,240 accountants, providing a robust opportunity for employment in various sectors. With a cost of living index of 92.569, Knoxville offers relatively affordable living conditions, contributing positively to the take-home purchasing power of accountants in the area. Employers paying the highest salaries include Big 4 public accounting firms, followed by regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments. Factors that drive the discrepancy in salaries include the necessity of a CPA license, which impacts entry-level versus senior salaries, as well as the prestige and compensation structures associated with the Big 4 compared to smaller firms. Additionally, specialists in areas such as tax or forensic accounting may command higher pay rates due to their niche expertise. To maximize earnings, aspiring accountants should consider roles in fast-paced firms that offer overtime during peak seasons and clearly defined advancement tracks, as well as networking within the accounting community in Knoxville to identify lucrative opportunities.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Knoxville, TN in 2026?
Is Knoxville, TN a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Knoxville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Knoxville?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Knoxville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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.
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 $75,380 for accountantsin the Knoxville metropolitan area. A 2.61% 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, 7-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 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov