BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Food Scientists and Technologists in Tennessee

$84,820 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$40.78 per hour

▼ 11.1% below U.S. average31st of 39 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$84,820per year
Median$81,760per year
Hourly$40.78per hour
10th – 90th percentile$64,660 – $105,670per year

Food Scientists and Technologists Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$64,660
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$69,150
  • 50th Percentile — Median$81,760
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$95,210
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$105,670

Half of Food Scientists and Technologists in Tennessee earn more than $81,760. The top 10% make $105,670 or more, while entry-level workers start around $64,660.

Food Scientists and Technologists in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 31st of 39 states for Food Scientists and Technologists pay, at $84,820 per year (11.1% below the U.S. average of $95,360).
  • 70 people work as Food Scientists and Technologists in Tennessee — 0.5% of all U.S. Food Scientists and Technologists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.25: Food Scientists and Technologists jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $64,660; the top 10% earn over $105,670.
  • Hourly equivalent: $40.78 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $116,780.
  • Among science jobs in Tennessee, Physicists pays the most ($171,070).

Food Scientists and Technologists Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Food Scientists and Technologists here earn $84,820 on average, placing the state 31st nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $84,820 is roughly equivalent to $96,386 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Pennsylvania ($86,640), Michigan ($85,700), Rhode Island ($85,530) are the closest alternatives for Food Scientists and Technologists 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 Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Tennessee?

The average Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Tennessee is $84,820 per year (median $81,760), which is 11.1% below the national average of $95,360.

How does Tennessee rank for Food Scientists and Technologists pay?

Tennessee ranks 31st out of 39 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($116,780/yr).

How much do entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Food Scientists and Technologists in Tennessee earn about $64,660 per year and the 25th percentile is $69,150.

How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make per hour in Tennessee?

About $40.78 per hour, based on the $84,820 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Food Scientists and Technologists work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 70 Food Scientists and Technologists jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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