How much does a physicist make in Knoxville?
$165,000a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in the Knoxville, TN metro area. That is $79.33 an hour or $13,750 a month.
- Hourly
- $79.33
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 22 of 60
- Jobs in the area
- 120
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $104,900Median: $165,000Highest 10%: $225,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $104,900 | $50.43 | |
| 25th | $136,600 | $65.66 | |
| Median | $165,000 | $79.33 | |
| 75th | $165,000 | $79.33 | |
| 90th | $225,500 | $108.42 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for physicists.
| Nashville, TN | $236,900 |
| Memphis, TN | $139,800 |
Related jobs in Knoxville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physical Scientist | $137,000 |
| Medical Scientist | $102,700 |
| Chemist | $99,790 |
| Nuclear Technician | $78,850 |
| Biological Scientist | $78,130 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $78,110 |
| Geoscientist | $77,870 |
| School Psychologist | $76,850 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $75,420 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $70,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in Knoxville?
The median hourly pay in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $79.33 ($165,000 a year).
Do physicists make more in Knoxville than the national average?
No: $165,000 against $172,300 nationally, 4% less.
How does Knoxville compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $165,000, so Knoxville pays 0% more.
Where does Knoxville rank for physicist pay?
22 of 60 metro areas with data.
How much does a physicist make starting out in Knoxville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $104,900 or less a year; the top 10% make $225,500 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.