Electrician Salary

Knoxville vs Smyrna: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Knoxville, TN and Smyrna, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$59,883
$28.79/hr
Smyrna, TN
$62,098
$29.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNSmyrna, TN
Median Salary$59,883$62,098
Hourly Rate$28.79$29.86
Entry Level (P10)$38,826$41,732
25th Percentile$48,405$47,983
75th Percentile$73,771$79,486
Top Earner (P90)$81,216$96,252
Total Employed2,17012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($59,883) and Smyrna ($62,098) electrician salaries.KnoxvilleSmyrnaMedian Salary$59,883$62,098Entry Level (P10)$38,826$41,732Top Earner (P90)$81,216$96,252US Median $64,530

Verdict

Smyrna, TN offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Smyrna is $2,215 (3.70%). Smyrna's median is -3.77% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $42,390,Smyrna spans $54,520. Smyrna has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$38,826
P25$48,405
Median$59,883
P75$73,771
P90 (Top)$81,216
Smyrna
P10 (Entry)$41,732
P25$47,983
Median$62,098
P75$79,486
P90 (Top)$96,252

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Smyrna ($67,645 effective) pays 4.57% more than Knoxville ($64,690 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $59,883
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $64,690
Smyrna
Nominal: $62,098
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $67,645

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (2,170 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Smyrna if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,098/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,252)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,645)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Knoxville grew 43.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Smyrna over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+43.5%

$40,860 (2019) → $58,640 (2025)

Smyrna, TN

+13.0%

$53,819 (2024) → $60,809 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Knoxville or Smyrna?

Smyrna has a higher median electrician salary at $62,098/year, compared to Knoxville at $59,883/year — a difference of $2,215 (3.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Smyrna?

Knoxville electricians earn $28.79/hr while Smyrna hygienists earn $29.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Smyrna as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Smyrna. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $64,690, Smyrna = $67,645), job availability (2,170 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Knoxville vs Smyrna?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $38,826 in Knoxville and $41,732 in Smyrna. The Smyrna area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst

Career Analyst

Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% 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 Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov