Materials Engineers Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $121,390 +12.1% vs national
Median hourly $58.36
10th percentile $72,730
90th percentile $165,370
National median $108,310

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Materials Engineers
in
Knoxville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $72,730
    25th
    $92,070
    50th (median)
    $121,390
    75th
    $132,780
    90th
    $165,370

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Engineers salary vs area income 174% Median Materials Engineers salary is 74% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Materials Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $151,260
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $147,080
    Boulder, CO $141,320
    Washington $140,810
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $140,810
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $140,180

    Nearby metros — Materials Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $116,270
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $111,470
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $108,580
    Jackson, TN $107,590
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $107,560

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers$98,230
    Engineers, All Other$100,490
    Civil Engineers$99,810
    Mechanical Engineers$95,710
    Electrical Engineers$110,890
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$58,410

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Engineers make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Engineers in Knoxville, TN is $58.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.66 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Materials Engineers salaries?

    The median Materials Engineers salary in Knoxville, TN is 12.1% above the national median of $108,310. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Materials Engineers in Knoxville?

    Entry-level Materials Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $72,730 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $92,070.