AI Manufacturing Engineer.
Knoxville.
$115,000
median salary, 10% below the national average
$85,000 to $148,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A AI Manufacturing Engineer in Knoxville earns a median of $115,000 in 2026. That is 10% below the national average. The range runs from $85,000 to $148,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Compensation varies based on the manufacturing vertical (semiconductor, automotive, pharmaceutical) and the complexity of AI systems deployed.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $103,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$75,000
to $92,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$98,000
to $121,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$127,000
to $150,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$144,000
to $178,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $59,000 to the total package.
Base
$115,000
Equity
$36,000
Bonus
$16,000
Signing
$7,000
Estimated total: $174,000
How Knoxville compares
Knoxville, TN
$115,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$128,000
Knoxville is $13,000 below
AI Manufacturing Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Knoxville
What you should know
The AI Manufacturing Engineer landscape in Knoxville is not what most salary sites will tell you. Knoxville benefits from the presence of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The national lab drives strong demand for research scientists, engineers, and data analysts. No state income tax and affordable living make it an attractive value proposition. Compensation varies based on the manufacturing vertical (semiconductor, automotive, pharmaceutical) and the complexity of AI systems deployed. Engineers who can integrate computer vision for defect detection, predictive maintenance models, and process optimization into existing manufacturing lines earn premiums. Domain expertise in specific manufacturing processes adds 10% to 20%.
Junior AI manufacturing engineers start at $85,000 to $100,000. Mid-level engineers deploying production defect detection systems reach $120,000 to $145,000. Senior engineers optimizing multi-facility AI systems earn $155,000 to $190,000. Directors of AI manufacturing at large industrial companies can reach $210,000 to $260,000. In Knoxville, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 11% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Bonuses of 10% to 20% are common, often tied to yield improvement or downtime reduction metrics. Equity is available at industrial AI startups. Benefits typically include relocation assistance to manufacturing hub locations and continuing education budgets for industry certifications. And on the tax side: tennessee has no state income tax on wages. Knoxville has no city income tax. This zero income tax environment combined with very affordable housing creates excellent purchasing power. When someone quotes you $115,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight Oak Ridge National Lab and DOE experience. National lab affiliations and security clearances command significant premiums in the Knoxville area. The range for AI Manufacturing Engineers in Knoxville runs from $85,000 to $148,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A DevOps Engineer in Knoxville earns $116,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Knoxville is Distinguished Engineer at $305,000
Common questions.
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