CFO.
Knoxville.
$222,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$167,000 to $295,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a CFO offer in Knoxville, TN, here is the reality: $167,000 to $295,000, with $222,000 as the midpoint. 15% below the national average. Company size measured by revenue and market capitalization drives the widest pay variation among CFOs. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $200,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$144,000
to $178,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$189,000
to $233,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$244,000
to $289,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$278,000
to $344,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $58,000 to the total package.
Base
$222,000
Equity
$33,000
Bonus
$21,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $280,000
How Knoxville compares
Knoxville, TN
$222,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$260,000
Knoxville is $38,000 below
CFO salary by city
Salary by role in Knoxville
What you should know
The CFO 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. Company size measured by revenue and market capitalization drives the widest pay variation among CFOs. Fortune 500 CFOs earn three to five times more than mid-market counterparts. Industry also matters, with technology, financial services, and pharmaceutical CFOs commanding the highest packages. IPO and M&A transaction experience adds further premium.
VP of Finance roles pay $180,000 to $260,000 in base salary. CFOs at small companies ($10 million to $50 million revenue) earn $175,000 to $250,000. Mid-market CFOs ($50 million to $500 million) earn $250,000 to $400,000. Enterprise CFOs at $1 billion or more revenue companies command $400,000 to $800,000 base. 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. CFO total compensation far exceeds base salary. Annual bonuses of 40 to 75% of base, equity grants worth $200,000 to $2 million or more at public companies, and long-term incentive plans are standard. Total compensation at large companies commonly reaches $800,000 to $5 million. 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 $222,000, 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 CFOs in Knoxville runs from $167,000 to $295,000. 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 VP of Product in Knoxville earns $218,000 (2% less)
- The highest-paying role in Knoxville is Distinguished Engineer at $305,000
Common questions.
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Other salaries in Knoxville
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