Physicists Pay Range in Tennessee
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$88,610
- 25th Percentile — Junior$107,700
- 50th Percentile — Median$165,010
- 75th Percentile — Senior$236,920
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$239,850
Half of Physicists in Tennessee earn more than $165,010. The top 10% make $239,850 or more, while entry-level workers start around $88,610.
Physicists in Tennessee: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Tennessee ranks 18th of 43 states for Physicists pay, at $171,070 per year (0.1% below the U.S. average of $171,180).
- 240 people work as Physicists in Tennessee — 1.2% of all U.S. Physicists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.55: Physicists jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $88,610; the top 10% earn over $239,850.
- Hourly equivalent: $82.25 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $219,910.
- Among science jobs in Tennessee, Biochemists and Biophysicists pays the most ($150,580).
Physicists Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation
Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Physicists here earn $171,070 on average, placing the state 18th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $171,070 is roughly equivalent to $194,398 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Texas ($176,530), Iowa ($176,230), New Jersey ($175,090) are the closest alternatives for Physicists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in Tennessee
Related career salary benchmarks
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $150,580/yr Tennessee 12.0% vs this role
- Economists $123,810/yr Tennessee 27.6% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $108,390/yr Tennessee 36.6% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $104,300/yr Tennessee 39.0% vs this role
- Chemists $88,400/yr Tennessee 48.3% vs this role
- Microbiologists $87,520/yr Tennessee 48.8% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $84,820/yr Tennessee 50.4% vs this role
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists $84,680/yr Tennessee 50.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physicists salary in Tennessee?
The average Physicists salary in Tennessee is $171,070 per year (median $165,010), which is 0.1% below the national average of $171,180.
How does Tennessee rank for Physicists pay?
Tennessee ranks 18th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($219,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Physicists make in Tennessee?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physicists in Tennessee earn about $88,610 per year and the 25th percentile is $107,700.
How much do Physicists make per hour in Tennessee?
About $82.25 per hour, based on the $171,070 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Physicists work in Tennessee?
BLS counts 240 Physicists jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).
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