BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Materials Scientists in Tennessee

$81,300 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$39.09 per hour

▼ 35.6% below U.S. average29th of 30 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$81,300per year
Median$69,010per year
Hourly$39.09per hour
10th – 90th percentile$57,800 – $150,590per year

Materials Scientists Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$57,800
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$59,780
  • 50th Percentile — Median$69,010
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$85,650
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$150,590

Half of Materials Scientists in Tennessee earn more than $69,010. The top 10% make $150,590 or more, while entry-level workers start around $57,800.

Materials Scientists in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 29th of 30 states for Materials Scientists pay, at $81,300 per year (35.6% below the U.S. average of $126,180).
  • 60 people work as Materials Scientists in Tennessee — 0.7% of all U.S. Materials Scientists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.36: Materials Scientists jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $57,800; the top 10% earn over $150,590.
  • Hourly equivalent: $39.09 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $189,460.
  • Among science jobs in Tennessee, Physicists pays the most ($171,070).

Materials Scientists Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Materials Scientists here earn $81,300 on average, placing the state 29th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $81,300 is roughly equivalent to $92,386 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Georgia ($99,800), Iowa ($99,050), Nevada ($96,880) are the closest alternatives for Materials Scientists 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 Materials Scientists salary in Tennessee?

The average Materials Scientists salary in Tennessee is $81,300 per year (median $69,010), which is 35.6% below the national average of $126,180.

How does Tennessee rank for Materials Scientists pay?

Tennessee ranks 29th out of 30 states. The highest-paying state is California ($189,460/yr).

How much do entry-level Materials Scientists make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Materials Scientists in Tennessee earn about $57,800 per year and the 25th percentile is $59,780.

How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Tennessee?

About $39.09 per hour, based on the $81,300 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Materials Scientists work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 60 Materials Scientists jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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