Public Safety · Knoxville, TN

Police Officer Salary in Knoxville, TN (2026)

Median Police Officer salary in Knoxville is approximately $63,500/year — 8.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Knoxville

$63,500
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$31
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$2,442
Monthly
$5,292
Annual (gross)
$63,500
vs Tennessee state average
State avg: $63,500
+$0
vs US national
National median: $69,000
-$5,500

After-tax estimate

$49,752
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$63,500
Federal tax (~14%)
−$8,890
FICA (7.65%)
−$4,858
Tennessee state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$49,752
Monthly take-home
$4,146
For exact take-home, use our Knoxville Paycheck Calculator.
Police Officer salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Knoxville
Columbus, OH0.92×$63,500+$0
Detroit, MI0.92×$63,500+$0
Cincinnati, OH0.92×$63,500+$0
Kansas City, MO0.92×$63,500+$0
Lexington, KY0.92×$63,500+$0
Other Public Safety jobs in Knoxville

Police Officer salaries in Knoxville, TN

The estimated median Police Officer salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $63,500/year, working out to approximately $31/hour at full-time, $2,442 per biweekly paycheck, or $5,292/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 $63,500, you take home roughly $49,752 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 $4,146/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

Police Officer 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Police Officer salary in Knoxville?
The estimated median Police Officer salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $63,500 per year, or approximately $31/hour at standard full-time. Knoxville sits 8.0% below the US national average for this role.
Knoxville vs Tennessee state — what's the salary difference?
Knoxville: $63,500. Tennessee state average for Police Officer: $63,500. Difference: +$0 (0.0%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Knoxville have a city income tax?
No, Knoxville has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Tennessee state tax apply (Tennessee has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Knoxville's cost of living relative to the US average. Knoxville's multiplier is 0.92× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Police Officer in Knoxville?
Estimate: $49,752/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Tennessee state tax (~0.0% effective), and Knoxville local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Knoxville Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.