Physicist salary in Knoxville, TN
Physicists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $165,010 a year ($79.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,520 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $165,010. There are 0.28 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $156,290, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,890 | $50.43 |
| 25th percentile | $136,570 | $65.66 |
| Median | $165,010 | $79.33 |
| 75th percentile | $165,010 | $79.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,520 | $108.43 |
| Average (mean) | $156,290 | $75.14 |
Half of physicists 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 | $13,750.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,875.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,346.54 |
| Weekly | $3,173.27 |
| Hourly | $79.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $236,920 | n/a |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $139,810 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 |
| California | $207,490 |
| Oregon | $200,320 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 |
| Texas | $184,040 |
| New York | $181,970 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 |
See Physicist 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 |
| Chemist | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| 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 19-2012. 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 physicist make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for physicists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $165,010 a year, or $79.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of physicists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $225,520 a year. The top 25% earn $165,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,890 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $136,570 or less.
How many physicists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 120 physicists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.