Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Knoxville, TN
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $51,110 a year ($24.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,270 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 17% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $61,950. There are 0.28 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| 25th percentile | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Median | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| 75th percentile | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,270 | $40.04 |
| Average (mean) | $63,140 | $30.36 |
Half of soil and plant scientists 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 | $4,259.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,129.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,965.77 |
| Weekly | $982.88 |
| Hourly | $24.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,450 | 30 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $50,160 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for soil and plant scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $107,140 |
| Florida | $103,240 |
| Alaska | $100,320 |
| Iowa | $96,310 |
| Idaho | $95,150 |
| New Jersey | $91,970 |
| California | $91,930 |
| Oregon | $85,150 |
| Maryland | $85,020 |
| Hawaii | $84,390 |
See Soil and Plant Scientists 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 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,130 | $37.56 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $149,140 | $71.70 |
| 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 19-1013. 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 soil and plant scientists make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $51,110 a year, or $24.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $83,270 a year. The top 25% earn $61,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,890 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $46,890 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 120 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.