Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median pay for a physics teachers, postsecondary in Knoxville, TN is $99,090/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.57), which stretches that salary to about $107,043 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,471/month, or 22.2% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $99K get you in Knoxville?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Knoxville’s Regional Price Parity (92.57). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About physics teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in Knoxville
Physics teachers, postsecondary pay in Knoxville tracks closely to the national median, $99K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 1% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,471/month, 22.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.57 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for physics teachers, postsecondaries in metros near Knoxville, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $87K | $91K |
| Memphis | $81K | $87K |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $107K | $107K |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $98K | $101K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Knoxville, TN
Entry-level physics teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $99K. Top earners bring in $158K or more, a $94K spread from bottom to top.
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $139K | +39% | 1,130 |
| Connecticut | $112K | +12% | 260 |
| Massachusetts | $111K | +11% | 680 |
| Maryland | $111K | +11% | 300 |
| Michigan | $109K | +9% | 460 |
| New Mexico | $109K | +9% | 70 |
| Delaware | $109K | +8% | 70 |
| Minnesota | $107K | +7% | 250 |
| Idaho | $106K | +6% | 50 |
| Virginia | $104K | +4% | 610 |
| Oregon | $104K | +4% | 230 |
| Maine | $104K | +4% | 60 |
| Iowa | $104K | +4% | 120 |
| New York | $103K | +3% | 1,080 |
| Indiana | $103K | +3% | 270 |
| North Dakota | $102K | +1% | 40 |
| Georgia | $102K | +1% | 210 |
| Missouri | $100K | -0% | 230 |
| Utah | $100K | -0% | 120 |
| Colorado | $99K | -1% | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $99K | -1% | 40 |
| New Jersey | $99K | -1% | 530 |
| Nebraska | $98K | -2% | 70 |
| Vermont | $98K | -2% | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $98K | -2% | 580 |
| West Virginia | $98K | -2% | 50 |
| Montana | $98K | -2% | 70 |
| Texas | $98K | -3% | 1,110 |
| Kansas | $97K | -3% | 110 |
| Washington | $97K | -3% | 310 |
| Nevada | $96K | -4% | 90 |
| Ohio | $96K | -4% | 420 |
| Illinois | $95K | -5% | 540 |
| Oklahoma | $92K | -9% | 90 |
| Louisiana | $90K | -10% | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $90K | -11% | 210 |
| North Carolina | $87K | -13% | 440 |
| South Dakota | $86K | -14% | 30 |
| District of Columbia | $85K | -15% | 130 |
| Alabama | $83K | -18% | 170 |
| South Carolina | $81K | -19% | 150 |
| Tennessee | $81K | -20% | 340 |
| Kentucky | $80K | -20% | 160 |
| Florida | $74K | -26% | 180 |
| Mississippi | $71K | -29% | 100 |
| Arizona | $66K | -34% | 350 |
| Arkansas | $65K | -35% | 30 |
Showing 1–10 of 47 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track physics teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Knoxville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a physics teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in Knoxville?
Yes — at the median salary of $99K, rent takes 22.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,471/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for physics teachers, postsecondaries in Knoxville?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new physics teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,803/month. At HUD’s $1,471/month FMR, rent would take 39% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is physics teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in Knoxville?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $99K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Knoxville compare to the national average for physics teachers, postsecondaries?
Knoxville pays $99K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.57), the purchasing-power equivalent is $107K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do physics teachers, postsecondaries make in Knoxville, TN?
The median is $99,090 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,390, and experienced physics teachers, postsecondaries can clear $157,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $99K enough to live in Knoxville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,508/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,471/month, which eats 22.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physics teachers, postsecondary salary go in Knoxville?
Knoxville has a Regional Price Parity of 92.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physics teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $107,043 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physics teachers, postsecondaries get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.