Chemist salary in Knoxville, TN
Chemists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $99,790 a year ($47.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,680 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 13% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $87,930. There are 0.23 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $97,840, close to the median.
Pay range for chemists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| 25th percentile | $84,520 | $40.64 |
| Median | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| 75th percentile | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,680 | $61.39 |
| Average (mean) | $97,840 | $47.04 |
Half of chemists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,315.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,157.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,838.08 |
| Weekly | $1,919.04 |
| Hourly | $47.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $92,490 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $76,980 | 120 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,530 | 320 |
Highest-paying states for chemists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 |
| Maryland | $140,670 |
| Delaware | $129,860 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 |
| Alaska | $106,010 |
| Oregon | $104,590 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 |
| Colorado | $101,980 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,420 | $36.26 |
| Physicist | $165,010 | $79.33 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| School Psychologist | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,130 | $37.56 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $70,500 | $33.90 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for chemists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $99,790 a year, or $47.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of chemists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $127,680 a year. The top 25% earn $99,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,580 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $84,520 or less.
How many chemists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 100 chemists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.