Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Knoxville, TN

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

Median annual salary $62,880 -11.9% vs national
Median hourly $30.23
10th percentile $51,180
90th percentile $80,370
Employed locally 50
National median $71,410

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Soil and Plant Scientists
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Knoxville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,180
    25th
    $51,180
    50th (median)
    $62,880
    75th
    $66,180
    90th
    $80,370

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 90% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 10% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Soil and Plant Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Modesto, CA $113,340
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $105,260
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $103,620
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $101,250
    District of Columbia $100,820
    Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $100,490

    Nearby metros — Soil and Plant Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $71,010
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $66,450

    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 Soil and Plant Scientists make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Knoxville, TN is $30.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.04 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Soil and Plant Scientists salaries?

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Knoxville, TN is 11.9% below the national median of $71,410. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Soil and Plant Scientists in Knoxville?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $51,180 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,180.