Salaries in Johnson City, TN

Here’s a strange truth about Johnson City: you can make a six-figure salary here and live like royalty, but the average worker is still just getting by. It’s a city of extremes, and your paycheck’s power depends entirely on which side of that divide you land.

The Cost of Living Index sits at 88.9, which sounds like a simple discount. And it is—if you’re pulling down the median household income of $55,406, your money goes about 11% further than the national average. That $870 one-bedroom rent is a relic you won’t find in most cities. But for the professionals earning the real money—like the marketing managers making a COL-adjusted $171,000—this isn’t just a place to live; it’s a wealth-building machine. The purchasing power here is legitimately staggering if you’re in the right field.

So who’s thriving? The data points to a few clear winners. East Tennessee State University and the regional medical center are the big institutional anchors. But the real money is in the corporate and project-based work tied to Eastman Chemical and a growing slate of remote tech roles. The software developer earning a six-figure, COL-adjusted salary isn’t an anomaly; they’re the new blueprint. It’s a city quietly running on prescription pads, code, and construction plans.

The catch, and it’s a big one, is that this is a bifurcated economy. While the top-tier jobs offer a fantastic standard of living, wages for the average role—$67,972, or a adjusted $76,459—have a harder time keeping up with the creeping cost of everything from groceries to insurance. It’s a fantastic fit for a skilled professional, especially if you work remotely for a coastal company and bank the difference. It’s tougher if you’re in a service role or just starting out.

The numbers below will tell you exactly how that break down looks, occupation by occupation.