Job Salary Guide · 2026
Mechanical Engineer Salary After Tax in Knoxville
Based on BLS OEWS data · TN · Single filer
Mechanical Engineer Salary Range
25th Percentile
$75,000
Take-home:
$61,148
$5,096/mo
Entry to mid-level
Median
$96,000
Take-home:
$75,922
$6,327/mo
Typical salary
75th Percentile
$122,000
Take-home:
$94,140
$7,845/mo
Senior / specialist
Tax Breakdown
At median salary of $96,000
Cost of Living in Knoxville
1BR Monthly Rent
$1,300/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$1,620/mo
COL Index
1.03
Comfortable Rent Max
$1,581/mo
50 / 30 / 20 Budget Planner
Based on your monthly take-home of $6,327 ($75,924/yr)
$3,164
per month
- ›Rent / mortgage
- ›Groceries
- ›Utilities
- ›Insurance
- ›Minimum debt payments
- ›Transportation
$1,898
per month
- ›Dining out
- ›Streaming services
- ›Gym
- ›Hobbies
- ›Travel
- ›Shopping
$1,265
per month
- ›Emergency fund
- ›401(k) / IRA
- ›Investments
- ›Down payment fund
- ›Debt payoff (extra)
Needs / year
$37,962
Wants / year
$22,777
Savings / year
$15,185
Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Mechanical Engineer salary in Knoxville?
The median Mechanical Engineer salary in Knoxville (TN) is $96,000 per year based on BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $75,000 and the 75th percentile is $122,000.
What is the take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in Knoxville?
At the median salary of $96,000, a Mechanical Engineer in TN takes home approximately $75,922 per year ($6,327/month) after federal and state taxes. The effective tax rate is 20.91%.
Can a Mechanical Engineer afford rent in Knoxville?
The average 1-bedroom rent in Knoxville is $1,300/month. On the median Mechanical Engineer salary, your rent-to-income ratio is 20.5%, which is "Comfortable". Financial experts recommend keeping rent below 25–30% of take-home pay ($1,581/month at this salary).
How does cost of living affect Mechanical Engineer salaries in Knoxville?
Knoxville has a cost-of-living index of 1.03 (1.00 = national average). Knoxville is 3% more expensive than the US average, which reduces the real purchasing power of the Mechanical Engineer salary.