Highest-paying science jobs in Knoxville
Written by:
February 9, 2023
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Highest-paying science jobs in Knoxville
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-paying science jobs in Knoxville, TN metro area using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage. Jobs the BLS lists as "life, physical, and social science occupations" were included.
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Highest-paying jobs in Knoxville
#23. Social science research assistants
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $34,830
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $56,430
- Employment: 28,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($88,730)
--- Columbia, SC ($77,760)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($70,570)
- Annual mean salary: $34,830
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $56,430
- Employment: 28,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($88,730)
--- Columbia, SC ($77,760)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($70,570)
#22. Forest and conservation technicians
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $36,890
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $43,420
- Employment: 30,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($68,370)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($66,570)
--- Corvallis, OR ($62,260)
- Annual mean salary: $36,890
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $43,420
- Employment: 30,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($68,370)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($66,570)
--- Corvallis, OR ($62,260)
#21. Agricultural technicians
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $41,780
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,850
- Employment: 13,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($59,300)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($58,050)
--- Corvallis, OR ($57,990)
- Annual mean salary: $41,780
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,850
- Employment: 13,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($59,300)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($58,050)
--- Corvallis, OR ($57,990)
#20. Biological technicians
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $42,270
- #155 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,770
- Employment: 76,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($69,050)
--- Boulder, CO ($68,640)
--- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($65,940)
- Annual mean salary: $42,270
- #155 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,770
- Employment: 76,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($69,050)
--- Boulder, CO ($68,640)
--- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($65,940)
#19. Chemical technicians
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $52,760
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,040
- Employment: 57,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($86,340)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($78,000)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($77,020)
- Annual mean salary: $52,760
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,040
- Employment: 57,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($86,340)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($78,000)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($77,020)
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#18. Forensic science technicians
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $54,400
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,850
- Employment: 17,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,980)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,410)
- Annual mean salary: $54,400
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,850
- Employment: 17,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,980)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,410)
#17. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $55,140
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,550
- Employment: 34,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($79,780)
--- Huntsville, AL ($78,320)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($76,970)
- Annual mean salary: $55,140
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,550
- Employment: 34,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($79,780)
--- Huntsville, AL ($78,320)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($76,970)
#16. Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $62,430
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,080
- Employment: 9,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tulsa, OK ($89,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($88,050)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($86,860)
- Annual mean salary: $62,430
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,080
- Employment: 9,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tulsa, OK ($89,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($88,050)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($86,860)
#15. Soil and plant scientists
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $63,750
- #71 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,290
- Employment: 15,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($111,450)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($109,490)
--- Raleigh, NC ($109,320)
- Annual mean salary: $63,750
- #71 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,290
- Employment: 15,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($111,450)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($109,490)
--- Raleigh, NC ($109,320)
#14. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $64,280
- #236 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,240
- Employment: 76,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($116,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($109,190)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,710)
- Annual mean salary: $64,280
- #236 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,240
- Employment: 76,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($116,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($109,190)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,710)
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#13. School psychologists
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $68,950
- #174 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,770
- Employment: 57,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($116,280)
--- El Centro, CA ($116,010)
--- Fresno, CA ($115,360)
- Annual mean salary: $68,950
- #174 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,770
- Employment: 57,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($116,280)
--- El Centro, CA ($116,010)
--- Fresno, CA ($115,360)
#12. Occupational health and safety technicians
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $70,370
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,560
- Employment: 21,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
- Annual mean salary: $70,370
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,560
- Employment: 21,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
#11. Urban and regional planners
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $74,190
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,310
- Employment: 38,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($119,680)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($112,740)
- Annual mean salary: $74,190
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,310
- Employment: 38,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($119,680)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($112,740)
#10. Biochemists and biophysicists
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $80,560
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $113,460
- Employment: 35,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($135,070)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,520)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($133,390)
- Annual mean salary: $80,560
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $113,460
- Employment: 35,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($135,070)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,520)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($133,390)
#9. Materials scientists
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $80,850
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,790
- Employment: 6,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($142,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($135,480)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($133,380)
- Annual mean salary: $80,850
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,790
- Employment: 6,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($142,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($135,480)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($133,380)
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#8. Atmospheric and space scientists
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $83,780
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,880
- Employment: 8,520
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($118,860)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($118,420)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($114,860)
- Annual mean salary: $83,780
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,880
- Employment: 8,520
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($118,860)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($118,420)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($114,860)
#7. Chemists
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $84,940
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,130
- Employment: 80,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,290)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($115,790)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($108,330)
- Annual mean salary: $84,940
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,130
- Employment: 80,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,290)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($115,790)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($108,330)
#6. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $90,500
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,550
- Employment: 23,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($161,290)
--- Corpus Christi, TX ($156,870)
--- Midland, TX ($156,270)
- Annual mean salary: $90,500
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,550
- Employment: 23,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($161,290)
--- Corpus Christi, TX ($156,870)
--- Midland, TX ($156,270)
#5. Occupational health and safety specialists
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $92,290
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
National
- Annual mean salary: $78,740
- Employment: 106,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($111,950)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,020)
- Annual mean salary: $92,290
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
National
- Annual mean salary: $78,740
- Employment: 106,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($111,950)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,020)
#4. Clinical and counseling psychologists
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $93,440
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,640
- Employment: 58,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($136,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,200)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,060)
- Annual mean salary: $93,440
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,640
- Employment: 58,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($136,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,200)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,060)
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#3. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $98,260
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,050
- Employment: 108,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($176,770)
--- Columbia, SC ($155,570)
--- Danbury, CT ($151,970)
- Annual mean salary: $98,260
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,050
- Employment: 108,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($176,770)
--- Columbia, SC ($155,570)
--- Danbury, CT ($151,970)
#2. Physicists
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $121,990
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $151,580
- Employment: 20,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($199,830)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($195,300)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($188,250)
- Annual mean salary: $121,990
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $151,580
- Employment: 20,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($199,830)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($195,300)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($188,250)
#1. Microbiologists
Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $125,380
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,820
- Employment: 19,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Knoxville, TN ($125,380)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($121,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,340)
- Annual mean salary: $125,380
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,820
- Employment: 19,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Knoxville, TN ($125,380)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($121,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,340)
