Chemist salary in Tennessee
Chemists in Tennessee earn a median of $87,930 a year ($42.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 960 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,630 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $91,240. Tennessee ranks 24th of 51 states for chemists pay. 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 $88,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| 25th percentile | $58,420 | $28.09 |
| Median | $87,930 | $42.27 |
| 75th percentile | $104,030 | $50.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,630 | $63.77 |
| Average (mean) | $88,400 | $42.50 |
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 | $7,327.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,663.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,381.92 |
| Weekly | $1,690.96 |
| Hourly | $42.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $99,790 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $92,490 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $76,980 | 120 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,530 | 320 |
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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Physicist | $165,010 | $79.33 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $96,190 | $46.25 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $129,570 | $62.29 |
| Materials Scientist | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| 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 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| School Psychologist | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
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 19-2031. 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 Tennessee?
The median salary for chemists in Tennessee is $87,930 a year, or $42.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of chemists in Tennessee earn at least $132,630 a year. The top 25% earn $104,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,530 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $58,420 or less.
How many chemists work in Tennessee?
About 960 chemists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.