Materials Scientist salary in Tennessee
Materials Scientists in Tennessee earn a median of $69,010 a year ($33.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,590 for the top 10%. That is 41% lower than the national median of $117,790. Tennessee ranks 30th of 30 states for materials scientists pay. There are 0.02 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.36). The average (mean) salary is $81,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,800 | $27.79 |
| 25th percentile | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| Median | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| 75th percentile | $85,650 | $41.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,590 | $72.40 |
| Average (mean) | $81,300 | $39.09 |
Half of materials scientists 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 | $5,750.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,875.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,654.23 |
| Weekly | $1,327.12 |
| Hourly | $33.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for materials scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $177,030 |
| Oregon | $150,550 |
| Wisconsin | $137,700 |
| District of Columbia | $137,600 |
| Massachusetts | $132,600 |
| Minnesota | $132,160 |
| New York | $131,740 |
| Indiana | $130,540 |
| Connecticut | $130,320 |
| Washington | $127,250 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Chemist | $87,930 | $42.27 |
| 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 |
| 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 19-2032. 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 materials scientist make in Tennessee?
The median salary for materials scientists in Tennessee is $69,010 a year, or $33.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of materials scientists in Tennessee earn at least $150,590 a year. The top 25% earn $85,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,800 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $59,780 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Tennessee?
About 60 materials scientists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.