Microbiologists Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $60,460 -30.8% vs national
Median hourly $29.07
10th percentile $47,870
90th percentile $92,750
Employed locally 60
National median $87,330

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Microbiologists
in
Knoxville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,870
    25th
    $54,350
    50th (median)
    $60,460
    75th
    $69,340
    90th
    $92,750

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Microbiologists salary vs area income 87% Median Microbiologists salary is 13% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Microbiologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $129,830
    Worcester, MA $127,120
    Massachusetts $126,260
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,140
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $124,580
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $123,590

    Nearby metros — Microbiologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $108,970
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $66,700

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $99,600
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $81,990
    Biological Technicians $58,520
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $78,410
    Chemical Technicians $49,860
    School Psychologists $72,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Microbiologists make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Microbiologists in Knoxville, TN is $29.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.59 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Microbiologists salaries?

    The median Microbiologists salary in Knoxville, TN is 30.8% below the national median of $87,330. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Microbiologists in Knoxville?

    Entry-level Microbiologists (10th percentile) earn around $47,870 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $54,350.