US
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee salary market
$142K
Avg / Year
+2% vs U.S.
vs National
510
Employment
$11.9K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Human Resources Manager Salary in Knoxville, TN (2026)

The Human Resources Manager 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
$142K
per year
Entry Level
$75.9K
starting range
Senior Level
$190K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$145K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$11.9K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$60
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
Advertisement
Advertisement

Human Resources Manager Salary Overview in Knoxville, TN

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Human Resources Manager pay in Knoxville, TN at about $142,379 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $66,880.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $227,070.

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

If you’re comparing Human Resources Manager 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 +2% vs u.s. for Human Resources Manager 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
$140K
all U.S. markets combined
+2%
Knoxville, TN Premium
Knoxville, TN City Average
$142K
Human Resources Manager
MarketProjected Salaryvs Knoxville, TNMarket Maturity
Knoxville, TN (this guide)$142,379BaselineLocal market
United States$140,030-2% vs U.S.National baseline
Memphis, TN$129,650-9% vs U.S.Comparable city
Nashville, TN$128,810-10% vs U.S.Comparable city
Kingsport, TN$118,290-17% 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.

Human Resources Manager 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 aHuman Resources Manager can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$110K
$68/hr median equivalent
$75.9K - $142K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$142K
$68/hr median equivalent
$110K - $190K
Senior
6-10 years
$190K
$68/hr median equivalent
$142K - $258K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$258K
$68/hr median equivalent
$190K - $314K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Human Resources Manager0-2 years$110,383$75,857.0 - $142,379-21% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Human Resources Manager3-5 years$142,379$110,383 - $190,050+2% vs U.S.
Senior Human Resources Manager6-10 years$190,050$142,379 - $257,548+36% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Human Resources Manager10+ years$257,548$190,050 - $314,208+84% vs U.S.
Advertisement

Best Salary Areas Near Knoxville, TN

Nearby metro areas help show how Human Resources Manager 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
$142K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Knoxville, Tn metropolitan area.
This guide
#2
Memphis, TN
$130K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Human Resources Manager salaries around Knoxville, TN.
-9% vs U.S.
#3
Nashville, TN
$129K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Human Resources Manager salaries around Knoxville, TN.
-10% vs U.S.
#4
Kingsport, TN
$118K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Human Resources Manager salaries around Knoxville, TN.
-17% vs U.S.
#5
Chattanooga, TN
$114K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Human Resources Manager salaries around Knoxville, TN.
-20% vs U.S.

Human Resources Manager Salary by Industry in Knoxville, TN

Industry premiums in Knoxville, TN usually come from employers that place the Human Resources Manager 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
Information$196,770$114,420 - N/AStronger salary
Utilities$168,150$115,690 - N/AStronger salary
Finance and Insurance$164,680$99,600.0 - N/AStronger salary
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$163,970$95,690.0 - N/ACompetitive
Management of Companies and Enterprises$163,180$97,300.0 - N/ACompetitive
Wholesale Trade$154,930$94,470.0 - N/ACompetitive
Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing$143,480$87,470.0 - N/ACompetitive
Manufacturing$137,570$90,230.0 - $234,520Competitive

Entry-Level Human Resources Manager Salary in Knoxville, TN

Entry-level Human Resources Manager 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 Human Resources Manager salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Human Resources Manager roles in Knoxville, TN is about $110,383.
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 Human Resources Manager Pay in Knoxville, TN

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Human Resources Manager 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
$142,379
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$145,227
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$139,531Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$145,227Metro dependentKnoxville, TN employersMedium
Onsite$142,379Location 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
$2.6K
$3.3K
Transport / commute
$415.3
$474.6
$533.9
Food and groceries
$889.9
$949.2
$1.1K
Utilities and internet
$415.3
$474.6
$533.9
Estimated remainder
$4.0K
$6.2K
$7.6K
Advertisement

Top Employers Hiring Human Resources Managers in Knoxville, TN

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

1
Information employers
$197K
Industry benchmark for Human Resources Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Utilities employers
$168K
Industry benchmark for Human Resources Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Finance and Insurance employers
$165K
Industry benchmark for Human Resources Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$164K
Industry benchmark for Human Resources Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$163K
Industry benchmark for Human Resources Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Wholesale Trade employers
$155K
Industry benchmark for Human Resources Manager 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 Human Resources Manager work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Knoxville, TN
This guide
$142K
Baseline
Memphis, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$130K
-9% vs U.S.
Nashville, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$129K
-10% vs U.S.
Kingsport, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$118K
-17% vs U.S.
Chattanooga, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$114K
-20% vs U.S.
Cleveland, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$113K
-20% vs U.S.
Clarksville, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$109K
-24% 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
$81.2K - $109K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$101K - $133K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$126K - $157K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$151K - $196K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$179K - $227K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$210K - $287K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 5.0% from 2024 to 2034.
Faster than averageAnnual openings: 17.9 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment221.9k → 233k
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 anchor510 jobs with a median of $142,379

Factors Affecting Human Resources Manager 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 Human Resources Manager 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
Advertisement

Human Resources Manager 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 "Human Resources Manager" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Human Resources Manager in Knoxville, TNs salary?
The latest national baseline for Human Resources Managers is about $140,000 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Human Resources Manager in Knoxville, TNs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Human Resources Managers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $83,800 per year nationally.
How much can senior Human Resources Manager in Knoxville, TNs professionals earn?
Senior Human Resources Managers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $190,000 per year nationally.
Does location affect Human Resources Manager in Knoxville, TNs 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 Human Resources Manager in Knoxville, TNs 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.
Salary Anchor Ad
Salary Anchor Ad