Lowest-paying jobs in Knoxville

Written by:
March 21, 2021
Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

Lowest-paying jobs in Knoxville

Stacker collected information on the lowest-paying jobs in Knoxville, TN, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by average annual salary with information up to date as of May 2019.

In Knoxville, the annual mean wage is $45,450 or 15.0% lower than national mean of $53,490, while the lowest-paying occupation makes only $18,940. Read on to see which jobs make the list.

1 / 100
Arsenii Palivoda // Shutterstock

#100. Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $32,020
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,800
- Employment: 29,150

2 / 100
Canva

#99. Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $32,010
- Employment: 180

National
- Annual mean salary: $43,170
- Employment: 151,700

3 / 100
Creative Tools // Flickr

#98. Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $31,960
- Employment: 400

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,670
- Employment: 172,520

4 / 100
SarahAnderson // Wikimedia Commons

#97. Medical Appliance Technicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $31,910
- Employment: 100

National
- Annual mean salary: $44,200
- Employment: 14,130

5 / 100
Canva

#96. Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $31,630
- Employment: 260

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,570
- Employment: 99,460

6 / 100
Canva

#95. Helpers--Production Workers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $31,610
- Employment: 680

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,540
- Employment: 303,030

7 / 100
alexkich // Shutterstock

#94. Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $31,560
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $37,670
- Employment: 32,160

8 / 100
Canva

#93. Crossing Guards and Flaggers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $31,500
- Employment: 450

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,920
- Employment: 84,920

9 / 100
fizkes // Shutterstock

#92. Order Clerks

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $31,290
- Employment: 900

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,600
- Employment: 137,180

10 / 100
Canva

#91. Butchers and Meat Cutters

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $31,050
- Employment: 140

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,010
- Employment: 136,770

11 / 100
Zephyris // Wikimedia Commons

#90. Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,980
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $41,990
- Employment: 28,070

12 / 100
Dolly442 // Wikimedia Commons

#89. Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,970
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,180
- Employment: 78,850

13 / 100
Stokkete // Shutterstock

#88. File Clerks

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,800
- Employment: 290

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,610
- Employment: 102,300

14 / 100
antoniodiaz // Shutterstock

#87. Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,740
- Employment: 80

National
- Annual mean salary: $53,580
- Employment: 29,230

15 / 100
ESB Basic // Shutterstock

#86. Customer Service Representatives

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,710
- Employment: 11,350

National
- Annual mean salary: $37,320
- Employment: 2,919,230

16 / 100
fizkes // Shutterstock

#85. Social Science Research Assistants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,610
- Employment: 140

National
- Annual mean salary: $51,340
- Employment: 35,580

17 / 100
Pixabay

#84. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,440
- Employment: 7,540

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,130
- Employment: 2,953,170

18 / 100
Unsplash

#83. Floral Designers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,430
- Employment: 210

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,760
- Employment: 41,770

19 / 100
Canva

#82. Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,400
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $39,750
- Employment: 8,020

20 / 100
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

#81. Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,280
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $37,770
- Employment: 76,940

21 / 100
Canva

#80. Medical Equipment Preparers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,270
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $39,530
- Employment: 56,900

22 / 100
Maria Sbytova // Shutterstock

#79. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,250
- Employment: 460

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,670
- Employment: 110,650

23 / 100
Canva

#78. Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,100
- Employment: 180

National
- Annual mean salary: $28,810
- Employment: 153,990

24 / 100
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#76 (tie). Retail Salespersons

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,090
- Employment: 11,020

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,360
- Employment: 4,317,950

25 / 100
Canva

#76 (tie). Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,090
- Employment: 130

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,600
- Employment: 12,430

26 / 100
Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock

#75. Pharmacy Technicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,080
- Employment: 1,310

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,250
- Employment: 417,780

27 / 100
Sean Rayford // Getty Images

#74. Security Guards

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,850
- Employment: 1,980

National
- Annual mean salary: $33,030
- Employment: 1,126,370

28 / 100
Pearl PhotoPix // Shutterstock

#73. Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,560
- Employment: 1,260

National
- Annual mean salary: $31,530
- Employment: 385,960

29 / 100
Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock

#72. Office Machine Operators, Except Computer

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,460
- Employment: 100

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,150
- Employment: 45,960

30 / 100
Canva

#71. Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,370
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $42,130
- Employment: 25,590

31 / 100
Canva

#70. Helpers--Carpenters

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,340
- Employment: 100

National
- Annual mean salary: $33,830
- Employment: 32,920

32 / 100
Canva

#69. Tire Repairers and Changers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,330
- Employment: 280

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,350
- Employment: 110,880

33 / 100
New Africa // Shutterstock

#68. Receptionists and Information Clerks

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,270
- Employment: 2,470

National
- Annual mean salary: $31,250
- Employment: 1,057,370

34 / 100
ESB Basic // Shutterstock

#67. Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,130
- Employment: 150

National
- Annual mean salary: $33,030
- Employment: 68,050

35 / 100
Canva

#66. Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,050
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,530
- Employment: 24,110

36 / 100
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#65. Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $28,570
- Employment: 620

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,390
- Employment: 188,570

37 / 100
Canva

#64. Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $28,460
- Employment: 2,380

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,360
- Employment: 912,660

38 / 100
DuxX // Shutterstock

#63. Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $28,440
- Employment: 500

National
- Annual mean salary: $33,590
- Employment: 390,540

39 / 100
ProfDEH // Wikimedia Commons

#62. Couriers and Messengers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $28,060
- Employment: 320

National
- Annual mean salary: $31,640
- Employment: 74,720

40 / 100
zhu difeng // Shutterstock

#60 (tie). Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $28,050
- Employment: 550

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,940
- Employment: 140,850

41 / 100
Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#60 (tie). Animal Caretakers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $28,050
- Employment: 380

National
- Annual mean salary: $27,060
- Employment: 212,450

42 / 100
Unsplash

#59. Etchers and Engravers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $28,040
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $33,770
- Employment: 10,310

43 / 100
Walter Siegmund // Wikimedia Commons

#58. Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $27,690
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $33,750
- Employment: 58,400

44 / 100
Canva

#57. Physical Therapist Aides

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $27,650
- Employment: 200

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,180
- Employment: 49,270

45 / 100
Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#56. Tellers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $27,320
- Employment: 1,420

National
- Annual mean salary: $31,660
- Employment: 442,120

46 / 100
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#55. Driver/Sales Workers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,850
- Employment: 1,090

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,230
- Employment: 444,660

47 / 100
Canva

#54. Bakers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,780
- Employment: 320

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,630
- Employment: 184,990

48 / 100
GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#53. Nursing Assistants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,770
- Employment: 4,200

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,720
- Employment: 1,419,920

49 / 100
JOHANNES EISELE // Getty Images

#52. Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,760
- Employment: 1,230

National
- Annual mean salary: $33,210
- Employment: 700,030

50 / 100
Canva

#51. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,660
- Employment: 900

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,030
- Employment: 402,480

51 / 100
Canva

#50. Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,590
- Employment: 510

National
- Annual mean salary: $41,400
- Employment: 121,330

52 / 100
The Boston Globe // Getty Images

#49. Stockers and Order Fillers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,480
- Employment: 8,160

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,660
- Employment: 2,135,850

53 / 100
Canva

#48. Pharmacy Aides

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,130
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,490
- Employment: 37,280

54 / 100
PxHere

#47. Library Assistants, Clerical

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,010
- Employment: 270

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,820
- Employment: 85,910

55 / 100
Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock

#46. Recreation Workers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,980
- Employment: 630

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,330
- Employment: 358,750

56 / 100
viviandnguyen_ // Flickr

#44 (tie). Packers and Packagers, Hand

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,910
- Employment: 1,020

National
- Annual mean salary: $27,680
- Employment: 633,640

57 / 100
Needpix

#44 (tie). Food Batchmakers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,910
- Employment: 380

National
- Annual mean salary: $33,120
- Employment: 159,390

58 / 100
Canva

#43. Skincare Specialists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,630
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $38,970
- Employment: 56,660

59 / 100
Canva

#41 (tie). Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,410
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,880
- Employment: 36,630

60 / 100
Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons

#41 (tie). Cooks, Restaurant

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,410
- Employment: 3,730

National
- Annual mean salary: $28,700
- Employment: 1,401,890

61 / 100
Picsfive // Shutterstock

#40. Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,360
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,320
- Employment: 30,030

62 / 100
UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

#39. Sewing Machine Operators

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,330
- Employment: 430

National
- Annual mean salary: $28,000
- Employment: 133,410

63 / 100
Vasin Lee // Shutterstock

#38. Residential Advisors

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,090
- Employment: 440

National
- Annual mean salary: $31,610
- Employment: 107,930

64 / 100
Goldsithney // Shutterstock

#37. Psychiatric Technicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,000
- Employment: 190

National
- Annual mean salary: $37,550
- Employment: 78,470

65 / 100
Skeeze // pixabay

#36. Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,870
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,150
- Employment: 50,730

66 / 100
U.S. Department of Agriculture // Flickr

#35. Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,830
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,660
- Employment: 13,210

67 / 100
Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos // Flickr

#34. Counter and Rental Clerks

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,820
- Employment: 930

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,600
- Employment: 411,560

68 / 100
Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#32 (tie). Baggage Porters and Bellhops

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,640
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $28,230
- Employment: 39,790

69 / 100
Smash the Iron Cage // Wikimedia Commons

#32 (tie). Slaughterers and Meat Packers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,640
- Employment: 370

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,600
- Employment: 73,390

70 / 100
Crew // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Bartenders

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,560
- Employment: 880

National
- Annual mean salary: $28,000
- Employment: 646,850

71 / 100
Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#30. Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,460
- Employment: 970

National
- Annual mean salary: $27,940
- Employment: 382,670

72 / 100
Atstock Productions // Shutterstock

#29. Telemarketers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,440
- Employment: 640

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,770
- Employment: 134,800

73 / 100
Canva

#28. Orderlies

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $23,980
- Employment: 160

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,710
- Employment: 46,990

74 / 100
Don LaVange // Flickr

#27. Funeral Attendants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $23,550
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,830
- Employment: 34,370

75 / 100
Unsplash

#26. Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $23,520
- Employment: 7,250

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,010
- Employment: 2,145,450

76 / 100
Jason Person // Shutterstock

#25. Cooks, Short Order

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $23,330
- Employment: 560

National
- Annual mean salary: $26,240
- Employment: 152,670

77 / 100
Paul.J.West // Shutterstock

#24. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $23,270
- Employment: 2,920

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,640
- Employment: 1,346,910

78 / 100
Unsplash

#23. Athletes and Sports Competitors

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $22,760
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $93,140
- Employment: 11,330

79 / 100
Canva

#22. Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $22,620
- Employment: 480

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,690
- Employment: 97,030

80 / 100
Pixabay

#21. Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $22,340
- Employment: 130

National
- Annual mean salary: $25,380
- Employment: 143,940

81 / 100
Canva

#20. Food Preparation Workers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $22,280
- Employment: 3,970

National
- Annual mean salary: $25,820
- Employment: 863,740

82 / 100
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#19. Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $22,100
- Employment: 830

National
- Annual mean salary: $26,080
- Employment: 277,580

83 / 100
Martin Smith // Shutterstock

#18. Parking Attendants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $22,090
- Employment: 300

National
- Annual mean salary: $26,450
- Employment: 147,390

84 / 100
Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

#17. Cashiers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $21,790
- Employment: 11,710

National
- Annual mean salary: $24,400
- Employment: 3,617,910

85 / 100
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#16. Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $21,660
- Employment: 640

National
- Annual mean salary: $25,420
- Employment: 209,330

86 / 100
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#15. Childcare Workers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $21,470
- Employment: 1,580

National
- Annual mean salary: $25,510
- Employment: 561,520

87 / 100
Canva

#14. Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $21,410
- Employment: 450

National
- Annual mean salary: $26,860
- Employment: 117,670

88 / 100
Canva

#13. Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $21,300
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $39,230
- Employment: 25,780

89 / 100
Ryan Everton // Unsplash

#12. Dishwashers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $21,180
- Employment: 1,260

National
- Annual mean salary: $24,410
- Employment: 514,330

90 / 100
aboutsung // Shutterstock

#11. Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $20,930
- Employment: 920

National
- Annual mean salary: $25,020
- Employment: 477,270

91 / 100
Education Images // Getty Images

#10. Substitute Teachers, Short-Term

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $20,880
- Employment: 450

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,460
- Employment: 587,120

92 / 100
Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

#9. Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $20,840
- Employment: 460

National
- Annual mean salary: $25,950
- Employment: 267,940

93 / 100
Unsplash

#8. Amusement and Recreation Attendants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $20,590
- Employment: 440

National
- Annual mean salary: $24,330
- Employment: 338,110

94 / 100
Pxhere

#7. Fast Food and Counter Workers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $20,490
- Employment: 7,510

National
- Annual mean salary: $23,250
- Employment: 3,996,820

95 / 100
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#6. Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $20,250
- Employment: 2,510

National
- Annual mean salary: $26,810
- Employment: 926,960

96 / 100
Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#5. Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $19,950
- Employment: 1,720

National
- Annual mean salary: $24,010
- Employment: 423,380

97 / 100
Daniel Lee // Flickr

#4. Cooks, Fast Food

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $19,920
- Employment: 2,740

National
- Annual mean salary: $23,530
- Employment: 527,220

98 / 100
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#3. Waiters and Waitresses

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $19,420
- Employment: 7,460

National
- Annual mean salary: $26,800
- Employment: 2,579,020

99 / 100
Pexels

#2. Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $19,390
- Employment: 1,080

National
- Annual mean salary: $24,870
- Employment: 138,160

100 / 100
Canva

#1. Models

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $18,940
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,430
- Employment: 2,320

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