Restaurant Manager.
Knoxville.
$52,000
median salary, 7% below the national average
$39,000 to $70,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Restaurant Manager offer in Knoxville, TN, here is the reality: $39,000 to $70,000, with $52,000 as the midpoint. 7% below the national average. Restaurant category and revenue volume are the strongest pay factors. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $47,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$34,000
to $42,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$44,000
to $55,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$57,000
to $68,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$65,000
to $81,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $14,000 to the total package.
Base
$52,000
Equity
$8,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $66,000
How Knoxville compares
Knoxville, TN
$52,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$56,000
Knoxville is $4,000 below
Restaurant Manager salary by city
Salary by role in Knoxville
What you should know
Here is what the Restaurant Manager 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. Restaurant category and revenue volume are the strongest pay factors. Fine-dining and high-volume establishments pay substantially more than casual or fast-casual concepts. Multi-unit managers overseeing several locations earn premiums, and urban markets with higher costs of living offer elevated base salaries.
Assistant managers start at $36,000 to $42,000. General managers of single locations earn $50,000 to $65,000. Multi-unit or area managers overseeing three to five locations make $70,000 to $90,000. Regional directors of operations for large groups reach $95,000 to $130,000. 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. Bonus structures tied to revenue targets, food cost control, and guest satisfaction scores typically add 10 to 20% above base. Benefits often include meal allowances, health insurance, and for corporate chains, stock purchase plans. 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 $52,000, 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 Restaurant Managers in Knoxville runs from $39,000 to $70,000. 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 HVAC Technician in Knoxville earns $51,000 (2% less)
- The highest-paying role in Knoxville is Distinguished Engineer at $305,000
Common questions.
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