Entry-level Software Engineer salary in Knoxville, TN
Based on 11 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Knoxville, TN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Maryville, Alcoa, Oak Ridge, Knoxville,, Clinton.
Also listed as: Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, SDE
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $74,526 |
| 25th | $78,063 |
| 50th (median) | $79,830 |
| 75th | $89,816 |
| 90th | $101,052 |
Cost of living
Knoxville's median entry-level Software Engineer salary of $79,830 is worth about $86,200 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Knoxville = 92.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Developers in the Knoxville, TN area earned a median of $121,750 in May 2025 (2,390 employed). The H-1B median here is $79,830, 34% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Mesa Associates | too few | 2 |
| Pilot Travel Centers | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $79,830 | 11 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $97,282 | 32 |
| Senior · Level III | $120,000 | 15 |
| Expert · Level IV | $135,574 | 14 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $74,526 | $79,830 | 11 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $97,282 | $97,282 | 32 |
| Senior · Level III | $109,928 | $120,000 | 15 |
| Expert · Level IV | $127,629 | $135,574 | 14 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.