Chief Data Officer.
Knoxville.
$236,000
median salary, 9% below the national average
$177,000 to $309,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Chief Data Officers actually make in Knoxville: $177,000 at the 25th percentile, $236,000 at the median, and $309,000 at the 75th. That is 9% below the national average. Knoxville benefits from the presence of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $213,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$153,000
to $189,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$201,000
to $248,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$260,000
to $307,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$295,000
to $366,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $150,000 to the total package.
Base
$236,000
Equity
$80,000
Bonus
$51,000
Signing
$19,000
Estimated total: $386,000
How Knoxville compares
Knoxville, TN
$236,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$260,000
Knoxville is $24,000 below
Chief Data Officer salary by city
Salary by role in Knoxville
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Chief Data Officer roles in Knoxville, here is what you are walking into. 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. Data maturity of the organization, regulatory complexity, and whether the CDO drives revenue versus compliance create wide pay variance. CDOs at companies monetizing data assets or building AI-powered products earn significantly more than those focused primarily on governance and regulatory compliance activities.
Directors of data science or analytics earn $165,000 to $220,000. VPs of data advance to $210,000 to $280,000. CDOs at mid-market companies make $240,000 to $310,000. CDOs at large enterprises or data-intensive tech companies reach $320,000 to $400,000 with total comp of $500,000 to $1.2 million. 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. Annual bonuses of 20 to 35% of base tied to data quality metrics, AI initiative success, and compliance milestones are standard. Equity grants at tech companies add $150,000 to $600,000 in annualized value. Some CDOs negotiate dedicated data infrastructure budgets. 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 $236,000, 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 Chief Data Officers in Knoxville runs from $177,000 to $309,000. 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 Chief Marketing Officer in Knoxville earns $234,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Knoxville is Distinguished Engineer at $305,000
Common questions.
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