Chemist salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Chemists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $48,530 a year ($23.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,210 for the top 10%. That is 47% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 45% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $87,930. There are 0.29 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $60,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,890 | $20.14 |
| 25th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Median | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| 75th percentile | $63,020 | $30.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,210 | $43.85 |
| Average (mean) | $60,870 | $29.27 |
Half of chemists 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 | $4,044.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,022.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,866.54 |
| Weekly | $933.27 |
| Hourly | $23.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $99,790 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $92,490 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $76,980 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for chemists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 |
| Maryland | $140,670 |
| Delaware | $129,860 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 |
| Alaska | $106,010 |
| Oregon | $104,590 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 |
| Colorado | $101,980 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,800 | $37.40 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $83,970 | $40.37 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Physicist | $236,920 | $113.90 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| School Psychologist | $80,420 | $38.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $80,860 | $38.87 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,440 | $28.58 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2031. 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 chemist make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for chemists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $48,530 a year, or $23.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of chemists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $91,210 a year. The top 25% earn $63,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,890 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $48,530 or less.
How many chemists work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 320 chemists are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.