Physicist salary in Tennessee
Physicists in Tennessee earn a median of $165,010 a year ($79.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $88,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $239,850 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $172,250. Tennessee ranks 18th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.07 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $171,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| 25th percentile | $107,700 | $51.78 |
| Median | $165,010 | $79.33 |
| 75th percentile | $236,920 | $113.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $239,850 | $115.31 |
| Average (mean) | $171,070 | $82.24 |
Half of physicists 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 | $13,750.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,875.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,346.54 |
| Weekly | $3,173.27 |
| Hourly | $79.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $236,920 | n/a |
| Knoxville, TN | $165,010 | 120 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $139,810 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 |
| California | $207,490 |
| Oregon | $200,320 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 |
| Texas | $184,040 |
| New York | $181,970 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Chemist | $87,930 | $42.27 |
| 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 19-2012. 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 physicist make in Tennessee?
The median salary for physicists in Tennessee is $165,010 a year, or $79.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $239,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of physicists in Tennessee earn at least $239,850 a year. The top 25% earn $236,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,610 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $107,700 or less.
How many physicists work in Tennessee?
About 240 physicists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.