Agriculture & Environment Knoxville, TN Pop. 190,740

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee

The median agricultural scientist salary in Knoxville, TN is $65,261 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$65,261
vs State Avg
$-741
vs National
$-8,899
Cost of Living
88%

Agricultural Scientist Pay in Knoxville: What to Expect (2026)

Knoxville offers a median agricultural scientist salary of $65,261, which is $741 below the Tennessee state average of $66,002. Compared to the national median of $74,160, Knoxville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Knoxville's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $65,261 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $74,160 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for agricultural scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for agricultural scientists in Knoxville spans from $38,720 at the 10th percentile to $107,360 at the 90th percentile — a $68,640 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $42,240, while senior agricultural scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $101,200. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level agricultural scientist earns around $42,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $101,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,240
$-5,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$66,880
$-9,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$101,200
$-13,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Knoxville, TN

Percentile Knoxville
10th Percentile $38,720
25th Percentile $49,280
Median (50th) $65,261
75th Percentile $86,240
90th Percentile $107,360

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$74,160
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$68,227
Pop. 152,769
Chattanooga, TN
$65,261
Pop. 181,099
Memphis, TN
$63,778
Pop. 633,104

How to Become a Agricultural Scientist in Knoxville

Education

Most agricultural scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Knoxville and the surrounding Tennessee area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AgronomyResearch MethodsData AnalysisSoil ScienceGeneticsScientific Writing

Job Outlook

Nationally, agricultural scientist employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Knoxville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Agricultural Scientist Jobs in Knoxville

Browse open agricultural scientist positions in Knoxville, TN:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Agricultural Scientist Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Agricultural Scientist make in Knoxville, TN? ▼
The median agricultural scientist salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $65,261 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $74,160. Salaries range from $38,720 (10th percentile) to $107,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Agricultural Scientist make per hour in Knoxville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $65,261, a agricultural scientist in Knoxville earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for agricultural scientist pay? ▼
Knoxville's median agricultural scientist salary of $65,261 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $66,002. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Knoxville, TN? ▼
Knoxville has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a agricultural scientist salary of $65,261 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a agricultural scientist in Knoxville? ▼
Most agricultural scientist positions in Knoxville require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Agronomy, Research Methods, Data Analysis, Soil Science. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.