BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Microbiologists in Tennessee

$87,520 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$42.08 per hour

▼ 10.3% below U.S. average20th of 42 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$87,520per year
Median$77,630per year
Hourly$42.08per hour
10th – 90th percentile$52,880 – $143,220per year

Microbiologists Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$52,880
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$64,940
  • 50th Percentile — Median$77,630
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$99,350
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$143,220

Half of Microbiologists in Tennessee earn more than $77,630. The top 10% make $143,220 or more, while entry-level workers start around $52,880.

Microbiologists in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 20th of 42 states for Microbiologists pay, at $87,520 per year (10.3% below the U.S. average of $97,600).
  • 210 people work as Microbiologists in Tennessee — 1.1% of all U.S. Microbiologists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.52: Microbiologists jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $52,880; the top 10% earn over $143,220.
  • Hourly equivalent: $42.08 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $119,700.
  • Among science jobs in Tennessee, Physicists pays the most ($171,070).

Microbiologists Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Microbiologists here earn $87,520 on average, placing the state 20th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $87,520 is roughly equivalent to $99,455 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Iowa ($91,170), Delaware ($88,280), Florida ($87,610) are the closest alternatives for Microbiologists 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 Microbiologists salary in Tennessee?

The average Microbiologists salary in Tennessee is $87,520 per year (median $77,630), which is 10.3% below the national average of $97,600.

How does Tennessee rank for Microbiologists pay?

Tennessee ranks 20th out of 42 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($119,700/yr).

How much do entry-level Microbiologists make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Microbiologists in Tennessee earn about $52,880 per year and the 25th percentile is $64,940.

How much do Microbiologists make per hour in Tennessee?

About $42.08 per hour, based on the $87,520 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Microbiologists work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 210 Microbiologists jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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