📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Physicist Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Tennessee · 12.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$129,606
per year
Median
$120,806
per year
Hourly
$62.31
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$72,274
25th Percentile — Junior$99,906
50th Percentile — Median$120,806
75th Percentile — Senior$162,078
90th Percentile — Top Earners$187,244
💡 Top-earning Physicists in Tennessee make up to $187,244 per year. The job market in Tennessee is rated strong, with key industries including Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$109.1k
2021
$112.9k
2022
$116.9k
2023
$121.0k
2024
$125.2k
2025
$129.6k
2026
📈 Physicist salaries in Tennessee have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in Tennessee's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Physicist Salary by City in Tennessee
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Nashville $123,126 -5.0% High
Memphis $108,869 -16.0% High
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Physicist Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee is home to a strong job market for Physicists. The state's key industries — Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $129,606 per year, Tennessee's Physicist salaries are 12.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Tennessee (index: 0.88) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Tennessee can expect to earn $72,274–$99,906, while experienced Physicists can command $162,078–$187,244.

Looking ahead, the Physicist profession in Tennessee is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Healthcare continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Physicist salary in Tennessee is $129,606 per year in 2026, which is 12.0% below the national average of $147,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Physicists the highest wages in Tennessee due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Tennessee has a strong job market with major industries in Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism. This makes it one of the better states for Physicist employment.
  • At $129,606/year, Tennessee Physicist salaries are 12.0% lower than the national average of $147,280/year.