Graphic Designers Salary in Knoxville, TN
The median pay for a graphic designers in Knoxville, TN is $52,930/year ($25.45/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $91K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.57), which stretches that salary to about $57,178 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,471/month — about 40% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $53K get you in Knoxville?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Knoxville’s Regional Price Parity (92.57). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction.
About graphic designers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Knoxville, TN
Entry-level graphic designers (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $53K. Top earners bring in $91K or more, a $53K spread from bottom to top.
Graphic Designers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $91K | +48% | 1,280 |
| California | $76K | +25% | 28,310 |
| Massachusetts | $76K | +25% | 4,890 |
| Washington | $76K | +24% | 5,460 |
| New York | $75K | +22% | 16,730 |
| Virginia | $70K | +14% | 5,500 |
| New Jersey | $67K | +9% | 5,870 |
| Maryland | $66K | +8% | 3,880 |
| Connecticut | $65K | +7% | 1,980 |
| Rhode Island | $64K | +5% | 820 |
| Oregon | $64K | +4% | 3,080 |
| Vermont | $62K | +1% | 470 |
| Texas | $62K | +1% | 19,360 |
| Illinois | $60K | -2% | 7,900 |
| Utah | $59K | -4% | 3,070 |
| Minnesota | $59K | -4% | 5,460 |
| Wisconsin | $58K | -5% | 4,630 |
| Florida | $58K | -6% | 14,010 |
| Georgia | $58K | -6% | 5,410 |
| New Mexico | $58K | -6% | 1,170 |
| New Hampshire | $57K | -7% | 680 |
| Nevada | $57K | -7% | 1,970 |
| Indiana | $56K | -8% | 4,480 |
| South Carolina | $56K | -8% | 1,990 |
| Delaware | $56K | -8% | 420 |
| Montana | $55K | -10% | 650 |
| Alaska | $55K | -10% | 150 |
| Ohio | $55K | -10% | 7,010 |
| Maine | $53K | -13% | 590 |
| Pennsylvania | $53K | -14% | 8,280 |
| Michigan | $53K | -14% | 5,990 |
| Nebraska | $52K | -14% | 1,780 |
| Arizona | $52K | -15% | 4,330 |
| Tennessee | $52K | -16% | 4,190 |
| Hawaii | $52K | -16% | 510 |
| Missouri | $51K | -17% | 3,700 |
| North Carolina | $51K | -17% | 7,210 |
| Kentucky | $50K | -18% | 1,910 |
| Oklahoma | $50K | -18% | 1,770 |
| Kansas | $50K | -19% | 2,080 |
| Idaho | $49K | -21% | 970 |
| Alabama | $48K | -21% | 2,010 |
| North Dakota | $48K | -22% | 500 |
| Iowa | $48K | -22% | 2,230 |
| Arkansas | $46K | -24% | 1,450 |
| Louisiana | $46K | -24% | 1,200 |
| Mississippi | $45K | -26% | 920 |
| South Dakota | $44K | -28% | 470 |
| Wyoming | $43K | -29% | 250 |
| West Virginia | $37K | -40% | 540 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track graphic designers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Knoxville numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
How much do graphic designers make in Knoxville, TN?
The median is $52,930 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,130, and experienced graphic designers can clear $90,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $53K enough to live in Knoxville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,714/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,471/month, which eats 39.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a graphic designers salary go in Knoxville?
Knoxville has a Regional Price Parity of 92.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median graphic designers salary is worth about $57,178 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do graphic designers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.