Data vintage · May 2025 · Ranked by median annual wage
Lowest-paying jobs in Tennessee
730 occupations with published wages, ranked
The lowest published median wage in Tennessee belongs to Motion Picture Projectionists, at $22,750 per year. The highest is $610,080.
The 10 lowest-paying occupations
| # | Occupation | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motion Picture Projectionists | $22,750 | 90 | |
| 2 | Shampooers | $24,160 | 40 | |
| 3 | Barbers | $24,690 | — | |
| 4 | Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | $27,030 | 230 | |
| 5 | School Bus Monitors | $27,250 | 830 | |
| 6 | Passenger Attendants | $27,380 | 300 | |
| 7 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 | 90,690 | |
| 8 | Bartenders | $27,480 | 10,330 | |
| 9 | Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,490 | 11,280 | |
| 10 | Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | 52,120 |
At the other end of the scale
| Occupation | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiologists | $610,080 | 560 |
| Dermatologists | $433,630 | 100 |
| Surgeons, All Other | $373,510 | 490 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $354,580 | 360 |
| Orthodontists | $339,610 | — |
| Anesthesiologists | $330,620 | 840 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $325,520 | 180 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | 5,340 |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | $232,220 | 1,370 |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $231,040 | 230 |
| Neurologists | $229,670 | 220 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $226,830 | 2,260 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | 2,200 |
| Psychiatrists | $214,880 | 410 |
| Podiatrists | $212,470 | 70 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $211,450 | 1,690 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $208,350 | 420 |
| Chief Executives | $198,830 | 4,700 |
| Pediatricians, General | $176,210 | 740 |
| Physicists | $165,010 | 240 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $161,430 | 3,600 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $158,700 | 12,040 |
| Air Traffic Controllers | $157,330 | 590 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $143,580 | 110 |
| Acupuncturists | $141,430 | — |
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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