Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Knoxville, TN (2026)
Median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Knoxville is approximately $151,800/year — 8.0% below the US national average.
Salary breakdown — Knoxville
After-tax estimate
| City | Cost mult. | Estimated annual | vs Knoxville |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 0.92× | $151,800 | +$0 |
| Detroit, MI | 0.92× | $151,800 | +$0 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 0.92× | $151,800 | +$0 |
| Kansas City, MO | 0.92× | $151,800 | +$0 |
| Lexington, KY | 0.92× | $151,800 | +$0 |
Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Knoxville, TN
The estimated median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $151,800/year, working out to approximately $73/hour at full-time, $5,838 per biweekly paycheck, or $12,650/month before taxes. Knoxville's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.
Take-home pay in Knoxville
Of the gross $151,800, you take home roughly $118,935 after:
- Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
- FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
- Tennessee state income tax (none)
- Knoxville has no local income tax
That works out to about $9,911/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Knoxville Paycheck Calculator.
What affects your actual pay
- Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
- Specific employer: top-tier employers in Knoxville pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
- Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Knoxville typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
- Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
- Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
- Remote vs in-office: many Knoxville employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.
Related calculators
Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Tennessee — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Knoxville Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.