Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Knoxville

Written by:
February 17, 2021
LightField Studios // Shutterstock

Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Knoxville

Anybody who has taken a course in marketing, psychology or sociology is likely familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. First detailed by psychologist Andrew Maslow in his 1943 work “A Theory of Human Motivation,” the hierarchy breaks down the complex network of human thoughts into a categorical triage, placing self-development at the top and security and physical health at the bottom. In setting up this pyramid, Maslow framed self-recognition and creative development as ultimate goals, while also prioritizing personal safety and strong physical health.

As such, it has never been more important to recognize the health care professionals who work tirelessly to keep the population healthy. In 2019, the United States spent 17.7% of its GDP on health. While it’s encouraging to know that the country is investing in those responsible for maintaining the nation’s well-being, not all health care professionals receive equal compensation.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Knoxville, TN using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2019 annual mean wage. Keep reading to see which health care jobs make the most and least in your city.

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#49. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $22,620
- #250 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,690
- Employment: 97,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($48,240)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,890)
--- Port St. Lucie, FL ($43,200)
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#48. Orderlies

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $23,980
- #112 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,710
- Employment: 46,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($51,240)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($49,270)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,730)
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Goldsithney // Shutterstock

#47. Psychiatric technicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,000
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190

National
- Annual mean salary: $37,550
- Employment: 78,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($72,990)
--- Fresno, CA ($66,710)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($66,290)
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#46. Pharmacy aides

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,130
- #103 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,490
- Employment: 37,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($46,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($46,430)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($42,620)
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GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#45. Nursing assistants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,770
- #298 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,200

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,720
- Employment: 1,419,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($46,170)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,100)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($44,710)
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#44. Physical therapist aides

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $27,650
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,180
- Employment: 49,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Savannah, GA ($50,470)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($44,720)
--- Boulder, CO ($41,450)
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Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock

#43. Pharmacy technicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,080
- #340 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,310

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,250
- Employment: 417,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($51,090)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($50,790)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($50,070)
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Maria Sbytova // Shutterstock

#42. Veterinary technologists and technicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,250
- #248 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,670
- Employment: 110,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($76,660)
--- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA ($57,740)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($50,100)
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#41. Medical equipment preparers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,270
- #183 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $39,530
- Employment: 56,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($63,400)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($61,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,670)
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Milkovasa // Shutterstock

#40. Medical assistants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $32,750
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,960

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,720
- Employment: 712,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($49,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($48,920)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,140)
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Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#39. Phlebotomists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $33,570
- #175 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,480
- Employment: 128,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($58,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($54,040)
--- Redding, CA ($52,310)
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Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#38. Medical transcriptionists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $35,140
- #121 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,210
- Employment: 55,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($67,840)
--- Amarillo, TX ($56,970)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($54,080)
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#37. Ophthalmic medical technicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $38,110
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $38,760
- Employment: 58,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($56,620)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($53,770)
--- New Bedford, MA ($53,250)
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NDAB Creativity // Shutterstock

#36. Massage therapists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $38,530
- #167 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340

National
- Annual mean salary: $47,180
- Employment: 107,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($76,930)
--- Yakima, WA ($72,870)
--- College Station-Bryan, TX ($70,090)
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Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#35. Dental assistants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $38,860
- #214 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 840

National
- Annual mean salary: $41,170
- Employment: 351,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($56,010)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($54,510)
--- Rochester, MN ($53,010)
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Rido // Shutterstock

#34. Opticians, dispensing

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $39,520
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230

National
- Annual mean salary: $40,730
- Employment: 72,330
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($70,730)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($68,970)
--- New Haven, CT ($66,020)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#33. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $39,900
- #339 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,090

National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 697,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,490)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,160)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($67,990)
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Gerain0812 // Shutterstock

#32. Surgical technologists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $41,270
- #234 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390

National
- Annual mean salary: $50,110
- Employment: 109,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($74,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,790)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,750)
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Halfpoint // Shutterstock

#31. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $43,040
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

National
- Annual mean salary: $59,600
- Employment: 56,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salem, OR ($106,620)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($103,050)
--- Medford, OR ($82,780)
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DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

#30. Athletic trainers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $44,840
- #127 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $50,540
- Employment: 28,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($73,250)
--- Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($66,390)
--- Trenton, NJ ($65,320)
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lenetstan // Shutterstock

#29. Radiologic technologists and technicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $49,270
- #313 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430

National
- Annual mean salary: $63,120
- Employment: 207,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($109,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,670)
22 / 49
Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock

#28. Respiratory therapists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $50,160
- #260 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430

National
- Annual mean salary: $63,950
- Employment: 132,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($101,520)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($98,810)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,950)
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#27. Dietitians and nutritionists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $53,100
- #237 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

National
- Annual mean salary: $62,330
- Employment: 67,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($88,350)
--- Salinas, CA ($87,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,890)
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#26. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $54,960
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

National
- Annual mean salary: $74,270
- Employment: 37,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($124,950)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,870)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,920)
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#25. Physical therapist assistants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $55,910
- #187 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340

National
- Annual mean salary: $58,520
- Employment: 96,840
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($78,530)
--- Victoria, TX ($78,070)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($75,470)
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Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#24. Registered nurses

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $59,140
- #345 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,890

National
- Annual mean salary: $77,460
- Employment: 2,982,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($138,000)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($134,000)
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SofikoS // Shutterstock

#23. Diagnostic medical sonographers

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $60,210
- #226 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230

National
- Annual mean salary: $75,780
- Employment: 72,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($126,850)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($118,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,280)
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#22. Occupational therapy assistants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $61,050
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150

National
- Annual mean salary: $61,880
- Employment: 44,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($92,580)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($83,690)
--- Reno, NV ($81,800)
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KSai23 // Shutterstock

#21. Chiropractors

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $65,070
- #123 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $85,010
- Employment: 35,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($160,330)
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($149,580)
--- Reno, NV ($140,260)
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#20. Orthotists and prosthetists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $67,250
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $72,810
- Employment: 9,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($129,500)
--- Jackson, MS ($122,740)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($103,700)
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#19. Nuclear medicine technologists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $68,430
- #85 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

National
- Annual mean salary: $80,240
- Employment: 18,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($127,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,340)
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#18. Audiologists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $68,580
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $83,900
- Employment: 13,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Reno, NV ($146,950)
--- Fresno, CA ($131,270)
--- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($120,440)
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Austin Community College // Flickr

#17. Veterinarians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $68,910
- #276 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280

National
- Annual mean salary: $104,820
- Employment: 74,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sherman-Denison, TX ($210,960)
--- Lubbock, TX ($176,730)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($161,230)
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#16. Speech-language pathologists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $71,020
- #267 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590

National
- Annual mean salary: $82,000
- Employment: 154,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($117,710)
--- Corvallis, OR ($105,380)
--- Chico, CA ($104,640)
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#15. Dental hygienists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $73,490
- #152 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500

National
- Annual mean salary: $77,230
- Employment: 221,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($140,150)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($120,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,940)
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#14. Radiation therapists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $74,690
- #71 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

National
- Annual mean salary: $91,620
- Employment: 17,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($142,300)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($126,260)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($124,720)
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ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock

#13. Occupational therapists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $81,440
- #211 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240

National
- Annual mean salary: $86,210
- Employment: 133,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- The Villages, FL ($115,090)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($108,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($107,450)
38 / 49
Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock

#12. Physical therapists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $83,600
- #285 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540

National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#11. Nurse practitioners

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $100,140
- #289 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,360

National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)
40 / 49
Ohiodominican // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Physician assistants

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $106,060
- #195 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260

National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)
41 / 49
Grace Nichols // U.S. Air Force

#9. Pharmacists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $114,250
- #342 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 990

National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
42 / 49
Kzenon // Shutterstock

#8. Optometrists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $130,060
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100

National
- Annual mean salary: $122,980
- Employment: 39,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($238,460)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($210,490)
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($183,380)
43 / 49
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#7. Nurse anesthetists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $150,790
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $181,040
- Employment: 43,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($266,260)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($254,860)
--- Columbus, GA-AL ($247,540)
44 / 49
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#6. Dentists, general

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $178,750
- #156 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220

National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)
45 / 49
LightField Studios // Shutterstock

#5. Psychiatrists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $212,900
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $220,430
- Employment: 25,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($282,400)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($280,270)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($280,200)
46 / 49
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#4. Pediatricians, general

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $219,690
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $184,410
- Employment: 29,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($277,390)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($273,770)
--- Chico, CA ($270,550)
47 / 49
Unsplash

#3. Surgeons, except ophthalmologists

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $223,160
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $252,040
- Employment: 36,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Wausau, WI ($285,230)
--- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ($285,210)
--- Asheville, NC ($284,780)
48 / 49
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#2. Family medicine physicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $229,210
- #105 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130

National
- Annual mean salary: $213,270
- Employment: 109,370
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Racine, WI ($286,030)
--- Jacksonville, NC ($282,580)
--- Gadsden, AL ($281,430)
49 / 49
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#1. General internal medicine physicians

Knoxville, TN
- Annual mean salary: $250,200
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $201,440
- Employment: 44,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($282,610)
--- Rapid City, SD ($280,990)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($280,500)

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