Veterinarian salary in Knoxville, TN
Veterinarians in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $121,160 a year ($58.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,290 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $124,350. There are 0.62 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $126,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,470 | $48.30 |
| 25th percentile | $102,430 | $49.24 |
| Median | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| 75th percentile | $133,840 | $64.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,290 | $81.87 |
| Average (mean) | $126,610 | $60.87 |
Half of veterinarians 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 | $10,096.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,048.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,660 |
| Weekly | $2,330 |
| Hourly | $58.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $121,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Veterinarian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $126,230 | 500 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $125,790 | 190 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $125,130 | 310 |
| Johnson City, TN | $122,580 | 50 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $111,400 | 70 |
| Morristown, TN | $106,950 | 30 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $105,090 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 |
| Maryland | $163,170 |
| Washington | $160,510 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 |
| Arizona | $152,020 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 |
| Illinois | $133,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 |
See Veterinarian pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,740 | $52.76 |
| Pharmacist | $132,460 | $63.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $276,370 | $132.87 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $460,080 | $221.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $107,980 | $51.91 |
| Dentists, General | $157,900 | $75.92 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,900 | $102.84 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,330 | $31.89 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1131. 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 veterinarian make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $121,160 a year, or $58.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $170,290 a year. The top 25% earn $133,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,470 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $102,430 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Knoxville, TN?
About 260 veterinarians are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.