Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in Knoxville, TN
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $62,670 a year ($30.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,720 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $76,780. Pay here is 15% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $73,570. There are 0.21 zoologists and wildlife biologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,640 | $23.86 |
| 25th percentile | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Median | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| 75th percentile | $82,920 | $39.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Average (mean) | $69,440 | $33.38 |
Half of zoologists and wildlife biologists 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 | $5,222.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,611.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,410.38 |
| Weekly | $1,205.19 |
| Hourly | $30.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $79,440 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for zoologists and wildlife biologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $107,500 |
| District of Columbia | $107,050 |
| California | $98,530 |
| Alaska | $90,370 |
| Mississippi | $88,710 |
| Louisiana | $87,460 |
| Oregon | $85,150 |
| Hawaii | $84,910 |
| Massachusetts | $84,350 |
| Washington | $83,780 |
See Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 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 |
| 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 19-1023. 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 zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $62,670 a year, or $30.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid zoologists and wildlife biologists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of zoologists and wildlife biologists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $99,720 a year. The top 25% earn $82,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for zoologists and wildlife biologists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,640 a year, and a quarter of zoologists and wildlife biologists earn $50,840 or less.
How many zoologists and wildlife biologists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 90 zoologists and wildlife biologists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.