Sustainability Manager.
Knoxville.
$96,000
median salary, 9% below the national average
$73,000 to $127,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Sustainability Manager salary in Knoxville is $96,000, 9% below the national average. Entry level starts near $73,000. Experienced professionals push past $127,000. 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 $87,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$62,000
to $77,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$82,000
to $101,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$106,000
to $125,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$120,000
to $149,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $27,000 to the total package.
Base
$96,000
Equity
$15,000
Bonus
$10,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $123,000
How Knoxville compares
Knoxville, TN
$96,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$105,000
Knoxville is $9,000 below
Sustainability Manager salary by city
Salary by role in Knoxville
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Sustainability Manager 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. Industry sector, reporting framework expertise like GRI and SASB, and scope of responsibility create the widest pay gaps. Managers at Fortune 500 companies overseeing enterprise-wide sustainability programs with regulatory compliance earn 25 to 40% more than those at smaller organizations.
Sustainability Coordinators start at $80,000 to $90,000. Managers leading programs and teams earn $100,000 to $120,000. Senior Directors of Sustainability reach $125,000 to $160,000, while Chief Sustainability Officers at major corporations command $180,000 to $300,000 in total compensation. 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 10 to 20% tied to ESG metric achievement are common at large corporations. RSUs at public companies can add $15,000 to $40,000. Many roles include budgets for professional certifications and conference attendance. 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 $96,000, 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 Sustainability Managers in Knoxville runs from $73,000 to $127,000. 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 UX Designer in Knoxville earns $95,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Knoxville is Distinguished Engineer at $305,000
Common questions.
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