BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Tennessee

$84,680 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$40.71 per hour

▼ 7.6% below U.S. average26th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$84,680per year
Median$76,840per year
Hourly$40.71per hour
10th – 90th percentile$54,040 – $133,180per year

Environmental Scientists and Specialists Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$54,040
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$62,670
  • 50th Percentile — Median$76,840
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$99,200
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$133,180

Half of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Tennessee earn more than $76,840. The top 10% make $133,180 or more, while entry-level workers start around $54,040.

Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 26th of 51 states for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay, at $84,680 per year (7.6% below the U.S. average of $91,680).
  • 1,230 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Tennessee — 1.4% of all U.S. Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.65: Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $54,040; the top 10% earn over $133,180.
  • Hourly equivalent: $40.71 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $133,190.
  • Among science jobs in Tennessee, Physicists pays the most ($171,070).

Environmental Scientists and Specialists Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Environmental Scientists and Specialists here earn $84,680 on average, placing the state 26th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $84,680 is roughly equivalent to $96,227 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Jersey ($86,690), Montana ($85,240), New Hampshire ($85,120) are the closest alternatives for Environmental Scientists and Specialists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in Tennessee?

The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in Tennessee is $84,680 per year (median $76,840), which is 7.6% below the national average of $91,680.

How does Tennessee rank for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay?

Tennessee ranks 26th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($133,190/yr).

How much do entry-level Environmental Scientists and Specialists make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Tennessee earn about $54,040 per year and the 25th percentile is $62,670.

How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists make per hour in Tennessee?

About $40.71 per hour, based on the $84,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Environmental Scientists and Specialists work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 1,230 Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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