Nuclear Technician salary in Knoxville, TN
Nuclear Technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $78,850 a year ($37.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,190 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $110,240. Pay here is 14% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $91,980. There are 0.14 nuclear technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear technicians in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,870 | $32.63 |
| 25th percentile | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Median | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| 75th percentile | $81,140 | $39.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,190 | $45.28 |
| Average (mean) | $85,800 | $41.25 |
Half of nuclear technicians 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 | $6,570.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,285.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,032.69 |
| Weekly | $1,516.35 |
| Hourly | $37.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for nuclear technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $135,550 |
| New York | $129,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $124,070 |
| Texas | $124,060 |
| Massachusetts | $113,390 |
| North Carolina | $110,430 |
| Illinois | $110,390 |
| Alabama | $110,240 |
| South Carolina | $108,490 |
| Washington | $108,200 |
See Nuclear Technician pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $47,370 | $22.78 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,420 | $36.26 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| School Psychologist | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Physicist | $165,010 | $79.33 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| Chemist | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,130 | $37.56 |
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 19-4051. 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 nuclear technician make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for nuclear technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $78,850 a year, or $37.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear technicians make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of nuclear technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $94,190 a year. The top 25% earn $81,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear technicians in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,870 a year, and a quarter of nuclear technicians earn $78,850 or less.
How many nuclear technicians work in Knoxville, TN?
About 60 nuclear technicians are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.