Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in Knoxville, TN
Biochemists and Biophysicists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $149,140 a year ($71.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $129,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,640 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $127,410. Pay here is 11% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $134,560. There are 0.08 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $165,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $129,330 | $62.18 |
| 25th percentile | $129,330 | $62.18 |
| Median | $149,140 | $71.70 |
| 75th percentile | $188,180 | $90.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $229,640 | $110.41 |
| Average (mean) | $165,540 | $79.59 |
Half of biochemists and biophysicists 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 | $12,428.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,214.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,736.15 |
| Weekly | $2,868.08 |
| Hourly | $71.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $149,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for biochemists and biophysicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $157,390 |
| California | $139,580 |
| Tennessee | $134,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,090 |
| Connecticut | $132,670 |
| Massachusetts | $131,600 |
| New Jersey | $122,620 |
| District of Columbia | $120,090 |
| New Hampshire | $109,770 |
| Michigan | $109,340 |
See Biochemists and Biophysicists pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,130 | $37.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,420 | $36.26 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| School Psychologist | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Physicist | $165,010 | $79.33 |
| Chemist | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $60,900 | $29.28 |
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 19-1021. 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 biochemists and biophysicists make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $149,140 a year, or $71.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $129,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $229,640 a year. The top 25% earn $188,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $129,330 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $129,330 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 30 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.