Director of Data Science.
Knoxville.
$184,000
median salary, 14% below the national average
$141,000 to $239,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Knoxville is 11% cheaper than the national average. For Director of Data Sciences, that shakes out to a median of $184,000, with the full range spanning $141,000 to $239,000. Team composition, model deployment complexity, and business impact attribution are the strongest pay factors. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $165,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$120,000
to $147,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$156,000
to $193,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$202,000
to $239,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$230,000
to $285,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $119,000 to the total package.
Base
$184,000
Equity
$64,000
Bonus
$40,000
Signing
$15,000
Estimated total: $303,000
How Knoxville compares
Knoxville, TN
$184,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$215,000
Knoxville is $31,000 below
Director of Data Science salary by city
Salary by role in Knoxville
What you should know
Here is what the Director of Data Science market actually looks like in Knoxville. 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. Team composition, model deployment complexity, and business impact attribution are the strongest pay factors. Directors overseeing ML engineers alongside data scientists earn more than those managing analytics-only teams. Industry premiums are highest in fintech, adtech, and healthcare AI where model accuracy directly drives revenue.
Senior data scientists earn $140,000 to $175,000. Data science managers advance to $165,000 to $210,000. Directors start at $195,000 to $250,000. Senior directors overseeing multiple teams earn $245,000 to $300,000. VP of data science or CDO is the next step at $260,000 to $380,000. 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. Equity grants at tech companies add $80,000 to $300,000 in annualized value. Cash bonuses of 15 to 25% of base tied to model performance metrics and business impact are typical. Signing bonuses of $30,000 to $75,000 are common due to talent scarcity. 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 $184,000, 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 Director of Data Sciences in Knoxville runs from $141,000 to $239,000. 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 Engineering Manager, AI in Knoxville earns $183,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Knoxville is Distinguished Engineer at $305,000
Common questions.
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