Civil Engineer Salary

Knoxville vs Mount Juliet: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Knoxville, TN and Mount Juliet, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$98,853
$47.53/hr
Mount Juliet, TN
$94,163
$45.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNMount Juliet, TN
Median Salary$98,853$94,163
Hourly Rate$47.53$45.27
Entry Level (P10)$65,540$67,761
25th Percentile$78,235$76,687
75th Percentile$130,894$120,529
Top Earner (P90)$164,567$145,953
Total Employed1,1109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($98,853) and Mount Juliet ($94,163) civil engineer salaries.KnoxvilleMount JulietMedian Salary$98,853$94,163Entry Level (P10)$65,540$67,761Top Earner (P90)$164,567$145,953US Median $103,492

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mount Juliet.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Mount Juliet is $4,690 (4.98%). Knoxville's median is -4.48% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $99,027,Mount Juliet spans $78,192. Knoxville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$65,540
P25$78,235
Median$98,853
P75$130,894
P90 (Top)$164,567
Mount Juliet
P10 (Entry)$67,761
P25$76,687
Median$94,163
P75$120,529
P90 (Top)$145,953

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($106,788 effective) pays 4.11% more than Mount Juliet ($102,574 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $98,853
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $106,788
Mount Juliet
Nominal: $94,163
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $102,574

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($98,853/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($164,567)
  • Larger job market (1,110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,788)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Juliet if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Knoxville grew 6.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.7% growth in Mount Juliet over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+6.3%

$90,620 (2019) → $96,320 (2025)

Mount Juliet, TN

+18.7%

$77,317 (2024) → $91,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Knoxville or Mount Juliet?

Knoxville has a higher median civil engineer salary at $98,853/year, compared to Mount Juliet at $94,163/year — a difference of $4,690 (4.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Mount Juliet?

Knoxville civil engineers earn $47.53/hr while Mount Juliet hygienists earn $45.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Mount Juliet as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Mount Juliet. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $106,788, Mount Juliet = $102,574), job availability (1,110 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Knoxville vs Mount Juliet?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $65,540 in Knoxville and $67,761 in Mount Juliet. The Mount Juliet area offers higher starting salaries.
JC

Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.

Career Analyst

Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, Ph.D.Data verified by Carlos Ramirez, M.S.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov