Maritime Officer.
Knoxville.
$73,000
median salary, 11% below the national average
$55,000 to $96,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Maritime Officer salary in Knoxville is $73,000, 11% below the national average. Entry level starts near $55,000. Experienced professionals push past $96,000. Knoxville benefits from the presence of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $66,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$47,000
to $58,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$62,000
to $77,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$80,000
to $95,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$91,000
to $113,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $19,000 to the total package.
Base
$73,000
Equity
$11,000
Bonus
$7,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $92,000
How Knoxville compares
Knoxville, TN
$73,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$82,000
Knoxville is $9,000 below
Maritime Officer salary by city
Salary by role in Knoxville
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Maritime 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. Vessel type, license grade, and trade route determine compensation. Officers on tankers and LNG carriers earn premiums over general cargo ships. Deep-sea international routes pay more than coastal or inland assignments, and unionized positions typically offer stronger wage scales.
Third mates and third engineers start at $55,000 to $62,000. Second officers advance to $70,000 to $85,000 with experience and additional endorsements. Chief mates earn $90,000 to $108,000, while masters and chief engineers on large vessels can reach $120,000 to $160,000. 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. Maritime officers receive room and board while aboard, which effectively increases total compensation by $15,000 to $25,000 annually. Union contracts often include pension contributions, medical coverage, and paid leave rotations of equal time on and off. 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 $73,000, 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 Maritime Officers in Knoxville runs from $55,000 to $96,000. 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 AI Customer Support Specialist in Knoxville earns $72,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Knoxville is Distinguished Engineer at $305,000
Common questions.
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