US
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee salary market
$146K
Avg / Year
+33% vs U.S.
vs National
60
Employment
$12.1K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Health and Safety Engineer Salary in Knoxville, TN (2026)

The Health and Safety Engineer salary in Knoxville, TN for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Knoxville, TN market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Knoxville, TN city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$146K
per year
Entry Level
$64.0K
starting range
Senior Level
$171K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$149K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$12.1K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$62
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Health and Safety Engineer Salary Overview in Knoxville, TN

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Health and Safety Engineer pay in Knoxville, TN at about $145,703 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $56,420.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $166,380.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Knoxville, Tn metropolitan area.

If you’re comparing Health and Safety Engineer salaries in Knoxville, TN, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Knoxville, TN vs. U.S. National Average

Knoxville, TN pays +33% vs u.s. for Health and Safety Engineer roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$110K
all U.S. markets combined
+33%
Knoxville, TN Premium
Knoxville, TN City Average
$146K
Health and Safety Engineer
MarketProjected Salaryvs Knoxville, TNMarket Maturity
Knoxville, TN (this guide)$145,703BaselineLocal market
United States$109,660-25% vs U.S.National baseline
Chattanooga, TN$124,010-15% vs U.S.Comparable city
Nashville, TN$119,430-18% vs U.S.Comparable city
Memphis, TN$88,140.0-40% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Knoxville, TN pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Health and Safety Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Knoxville, TN

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Knoxville, TN, this breakdown shows how aHealth and Safety Engineer can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$109K
$70/hr median equivalent
$64.0K - $146K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$146K
$70/hr median equivalent
$109K - $171K
Senior
6-10 years
$171K
$70/hr median equivalent
$146K - $189K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$189K
$70/hr median equivalent
$171K - $230K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Health and Safety Engineer0-2 years$109,498$63,993.0 - $145,703Near national
Mid-Level Health and Safety Engineer3-5 years$145,703$109,498 - $171,166+33% vs U.S.
Senior Health and Safety Engineer6-10 years$171,166$145,703 - $188,713+56% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Health and Safety Engineer10+ years$188,713$171,166 - $230,230+72% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Knoxville, TN

Nearby metro areas help show how Health and Safety Engineer pay changes around Knoxville, TN. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Knoxville, TN
$146K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Knoxville, Tn metropolitan area.
This guide
#2
Chattanooga, TN
$124K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Health and Safety Engineer salaries around Knoxville, TN.
-15% vs U.S.
#3
Nashville, TN
$119K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Health and Safety Engineer salaries around Knoxville, TN.
-18% vs U.S.
#4
Memphis, TN
$88.1K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Health and Safety Engineer salaries around Knoxville, TN.
-40% vs U.S.
#5
Chattanooga, TN
$119K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Health and Safety Engineer salaries around Knoxville, TN.
-18% vs U.S.

Health and Safety Engineer Salary by Industry in Knoxville, TN

Industry premiums in Knoxville, TN usually come from employers that place the Health and Safety Engineer role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing$144,190$77,780.0 - $180,690Stronger salary
Management of Companies and Enterprises$125,780$83,070.0 - $176,090Stronger salary
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction$125,260$82,680.0 - $221,240Stronger salary
Finance and Insurance$124,970$84,900.0 - $170,420Competitive
Utilities$121,940$91,570.0 - $163,450Competitive
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$115,170$58,710.0 - $160,510Competitive
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$112,830$57,000.0 - $158,870Competitive
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$109,740$64,100.0 - $171,840Competitive

Entry-Level Health and Safety Engineer Salary in Knoxville, TN

Entry-level Health and Safety Engineer jobs in Knoxville, TN are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Health and Safety Engineer salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Health and Safety Engineer roles in Knoxville, TN is about $109,498.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Health and Safety Engineer Pay in Knoxville, TN

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Health and Safety Engineer candidates in Knoxville, TN. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$145,703
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$148,617
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$142,789Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$148,617Metro dependentKnoxville, TN employersMedium
Onsite$145,703Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Knoxville, TN

A salary in Knoxville, TN should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.9K
$2.7K
$3.4K
Transport / commute
$425.0
$485.7
$546.4
Food and groceries
$910.6
$971.4
$1.1K
Utilities and internet
$425.0
$485.7
$546.4
Estimated remainder
$4.1K
$6.3K
$7.8K
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Top Employers Hiring Health and Safety Engineers in Knoxville, TN

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Health and Safety Engineer pay tends to be strongest in Knoxville, TN, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing employers
$144K
Industry benchmark for Health and Safety Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$126K
Industry benchmark for Health and Safety Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction employers
$125K
Industry benchmark for Health and Safety Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Finance and Insurance employers
$125K
Industry benchmark for Health and Safety Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Utilities employers
$122K
Industry benchmark for Health and Safety Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$115K
Industry benchmark for Health and Safety Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Knoxville, TN Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherKnoxville, TN is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Health and Safety Engineer work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Knoxville, TN
This guide
$146K
Baseline
Chattanooga, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$124K
-15% vs U.S.
Nashville, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$119K
-18% vs U.S.
Memphis, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$88.1K
-40% vs U.S.
Chattanooga, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$119K
-18% vs U.S.
Nashville, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$118K
-19% vs U.S.
Memphis, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$86.8K
-40% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Knoxville, TN

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$63.6K - $85.5K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$79.0K - $104K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$98.7K - $123K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$118K - $154K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$140K - $178K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$165K - $225K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 4.4% from 2024 to 2034.
Faster than averageAnnual openings: 1.5 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment23.8k → 24.9k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor60 jobs with a median of $145,703

Factors Affecting Health and Safety Engineer Salary in Knoxville, TN

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Health and Safety Engineer Salary in Knoxville, TN

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Health and Safety Engineer Salary in Knoxville, TN: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Health and Safety Engineer" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Health & Safety Engineers salary?
The latest national baseline for Health & Safety Engineers is about $109,700 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Health & Safety Engineers salary?
Entry-level estimates for Health & Safety Engineers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $62,100 per year nationally.
How much can senior Health & Safety Engineers professionals earn?
Senior Health & Safety Engineers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $136,200 per year nationally.
Does location affect Health & Safety Engineers salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Health & Safety Engineers salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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