Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in Tennessee
Biochemists and Biophysicists in Tennessee earn a median of $134,560 a year ($64.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,640 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $127,410. Tennessee ranks 3rd of 35 states for biochemists and biophysicists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.08). The average (mean) salary is $150,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,140 | $39.49 |
| 25th percentile | $115,270 | $55.42 |
| Median | $134,560 | $64.69 |
| 75th percentile | $188,180 | $90.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $229,640 | $110.41 |
| Average (mean) | $150,580 | $72.39 |
Half of biochemists and biophysicists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,213.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,606.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,175.38 |
| Weekly | $2,587.69 |
| Hourly | $64.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $149,140 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for biochemists and biophysicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $157,390 |
| California | $139,580 |
| Tennessee | $134,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,090 |
| Connecticut | $132,670 |
| Massachusetts | $131,600 |
| New Jersey | $122,620 |
| District of Columbia | $120,090 |
| New Hampshire | $109,770 |
| Michigan | $109,340 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $73,570 | $35.37 |
| Conservation Scientist | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| Epidemiologist | $97,310 | $46.78 |
| Microbiologist | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| Forester | $71,990 | $34.61 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $108,770 | $52.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $54,840 | $26.36 |
| Biological Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biochemists and biophysicists make in Tennessee?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in Tennessee is $134,560 a year, or $64.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in Tennessee earn at least $229,640 a year. The top 25% earn $188,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,140 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $115,270 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in Tennessee?
About 60 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.