Data vintage · May 2025 · Ranked by median annual wage
Highest-paying jobs in Tennessee
730 occupations with published wages, ranked
The highest median wage in Tennessee belongs to Cardiologists, at $610,080 per year. The lowest published median is $22,750.
The 25 highest-paying occupations
| # | Occupation | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiologists | $610,080 | 560 | |
| 2 | Dermatologists | $433,630 | 100 | |
| 3 | Surgeons, All Other | $373,510 | 490 | |
| 4 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $354,580 | 360 | |
| 5 | Orthodontists | $339,610 | — | |
| 6 | Anesthesiologists | $330,620 | 840 | |
| 7 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $325,520 | 180 | |
| 8 | Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | 5,340 | |
| 9 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $232,220 | 1,370 | |
| 10 | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $231,040 | 230 | |
| 11 | Neurologists | $229,670 | 220 | |
| 12 | Family Medicine Physicians | $226,830 | 2,260 | |
| 13 | Dentists, General | $215,290 | 2,200 | |
| 14 | Psychiatrists | $214,880 | 410 | |
| 15 | Podiatrists | $212,470 | 70 | |
| 16 | Nurse Anesthetists | $211,450 | 1,690 | |
| 17 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $208,350 | 420 | |
| 18 | Chief Executives | $198,830 | 4,700 | |
| 19 | Pediatricians, General | $176,210 | 740 | |
| 20 | Physicists | $165,010 | 240 | |
| 21 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $161,430 | 3,600 | |
| 22 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $158,700 | 12,040 | |
| 23 | Air Traffic Controllers | $157,330 | 590 | |
| 24 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $143,580 | 110 | |
| 25 | Acupuncturists | $141,430 | — |
At the other end of the scale
| Occupation | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Motion Picture Projectionists | $22,750 | 90 |
| Shampooers | $24,160 | 40 |
| Barbers | $24,690 | — |
| Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | $27,030 | 230 |
| School Bus Monitors | $27,250 | 830 |
| Passenger Attendants | $27,380 | 300 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 | 90,690 |
| Bartenders | $27,480 | 10,330 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,490 | 11,280 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | 52,120 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Rankings cover only occupations for which a median wage was published; occupations the survey suppressed do not appear. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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