Entry-level Materials Scientist salary in Knoxville, TN
Based on 10 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Knoxville, TN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Oak Ridge.
Also listed as: Research Associate Materials Science
Median salary$84,048
Middle 50%$71.7k–$86.7k
vs. all levels here−4%comparison median $87,703
Filings10FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years
Salary range
All levels here
$40k$50k$60k$70k$80k$90k$100k$110k
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $59,175 |
| 25th | $71,742 |
| 50th (median) | $84,048 |
| 75th | $86,691 |
| 90th | $92,180 |
Cost of living
Knoxville's median entry-level Materials Scientist salary of $84,048 is worth about $90,800 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Knoxville = 92.6).
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| The University Of Tennessee | too few | 5 |
| Ut-Battelle, Llc (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) | too few | 5 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $84,048 | 10 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $87,419 | 46 |
| Senior · Level III | $124,584 | 14 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 6 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $51,750 | $84,048 | 10 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $70,803 | $87,419 | 46 |
| Senior · Level III | $83,366 | $124,584 | 14 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.