Dialysis Technician Salary

Knoxville vs Shelbyville: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

Compare dialysis technician salaries between Knoxville, TN and Shelbyville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$41,491
$19.95/hr
Shelbyville, TN
$40,919
$19.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNShelbyville, TN
Median Salary$41,491$40,919
Hourly Rate$19.95$19.67
Entry Level (P10)$34,291$32,733
25th Percentile$34,580$36,525
75th Percentile$51,603$50,921
Top Earner (P90)$95,402$63,425
Total Employed1004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($41,491) and Shelbyville ($40,919) dialysis technician salaries.KnoxvilleShelbyvilleMedian Salary$41,491$40,919Entry Level (P10)$34,291$32,733Top Earner (P90)$95,402$63,425US Median $45,322

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for dialysis technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shelbyville.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Shelbyville is $572 (1.40%). Knoxville's median is -8.45% compared to the US national median of $45,322.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $61,111,Shelbyville spans $30,692. Knoxville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$34,291
P25$34,580
Median$41,491
P75$51,603
P90 (Top)$95,402
Shelbyville
P10 (Entry)$32,733
P25$36,525
Median$40,919
P75$50,921
P90 (Top)$63,425

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($44,822 effective) pays 0.56% more than Shelbyville ($44,574 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $41,491
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $44,822
Shelbyville
Nominal: $40,919
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $44,574

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,491/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,402)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,822)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Shelbyville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dialysis technician salaries in Knoxville grew -14.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 13.7% growth in Shelbyville over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+-14.0%

$47,110 (2021) → $40,515 (2025)

Shelbyville, TN

+13.7%

$35,145 (2024) → $39,956 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: Knoxville or Shelbyville?

Knoxville has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $41,491/year, compared to Shelbyville at $40,919/year — a difference of $572 (1.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Shelbyville?

Knoxville dialysis technicians earn $19.95/hr while Shelbyville hygienists earn $19.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Shelbyville as a dialysis technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Shelbyville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $44,822, Shelbyville = $44,574), job availability (100 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dialysis technicians earn in Knoxville vs Shelbyville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $34,291 in Knoxville and $32,733 in Shelbyville. The Knoxville area offers higher starting salaries.
JT

Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN

Career Analyst

Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Robinson, RNData verified by Amina Patel, BSN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.41% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov