SOC 19-2099 · Knoxville, TN metro

Physical Scientists, All Other Salary in Knoxville, TN

The average salary for other physical scientists in Knoxville, Tennessee is $138,010 a year ($66.35 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $136,990: half of the 60 people in this job in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 7% more than the U.S. average for this job ($129,230).

$138,010average per year

$66.35 / hourMedian $136,990Take-home ≈ $105,596

  • $74K10th
  • $110K25th
  • $137KMedian
  • $162K75th
  • $196K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

60people in this job
+7%vs U.S. average
93cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Physical Scientists, All Other pay range in Knoxville

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $73,920 a year or less, while the top 10% make $196,120 or more. The middle half of other physical scientists in Knoxville earn between $110,140 and $161,890.

  • $74K10th
  • $110K25th
  • $137KMedian
  • $162K75th
  • $196K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$138,010$11,501$66.35
Median$136,990$11,416$65.86
Entry level (25th percentile)$110,140$9,178$52.95
Experienced (75th percentile)$161,890$13,491$77.83

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Physical Scientists, All Other pay in Knoxville vs. Tennessee and the U.S.

Other physical scientists in Knoxville earn about the same as the Tennessee average ($136,030) and 7% more than the U.S. average ($129,230). At the median the gap is +12% against the U.S. median of $122,570.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Knoxville$138,010$136,990$73,920$196,12060
Tennessee$136,030$129,570$46,680$241,340120
United States$129,230$122,570$67,000$195,19022,300

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Physical Scientists, All Other salary after taxes in Knoxville

On the average salary of $138,010, a single filer in Knoxville takes home about $105,596 a year, or $8,800 a month and $4,061 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.

Tennessee paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Knoxville a good place for other physical scientists? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Knoxville area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.6), so the average $138,010 buys what about $149,089 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Knoxville ($47,080). A typical home costs $367,158, or 2.7 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $138,010 is worth in another city

Physical Scientists, All Other salary in nearby metro areas

Highest-paying cities for other physical scientists

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($177,370).

Physical Scientists, All Other salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Physical Scientists, All Other in Knoxville, TN.

Physical Scientists, All Other salary in Knoxville: questions

How much do other physical scientists make an hour in Knoxville?

$66.35 an hour on average, and $65.86 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level other physical scientists salary in Knoxville?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $73,920 a year and the 25th percentile is $110,140, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the other physical scientists take-home pay in Knoxville?

About $105,596 a year ($8,800 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $138,010. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Do other physical scientists earn more in Knoxville than elsewhere?

The average here is 7% more than the U.S. average for this job ($129,230).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2099; area Knoxville, TN (28940). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 8.6%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.99, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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