SOC 19-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physicists — Tennessee
Tennessee · 3 metro areas compared
At $165,010, median pay for Physicists in Tennessee tracks the national median of $172,250 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $165,010, median pay for Physicists in Tennessee tracks the national median of $172,250 closely. Pay ranges from under $88,610 at the tenth percentile to more than $239,850 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $107,700 to $236,920.
Employment stands at 240, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Tennessee ranks number 18th out of 43 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Nashville records the highest median at $236,920. Of the 730 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 20th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $88,610 | −48.6% |
| 25th | $107,700 | −37.5% |
| Median (50th) | $165,010 | −4.2% |
| 75th | $236,920 | +37.5% |
| 90th | $239,850 | +39.2% |
| Mean | $171,070 | −0.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Tennessee
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $165,010 goes as far as $179,554 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$165,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$179,554US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $165,010 a year, 4.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $88,610 to $239,850 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 240 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 18th of 43 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $236,920.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physicists in Tennessee?
The median annual wage is $165,010, or $79.33 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $172,250, so pay in Tennessee is 4.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Tennessee earns more than $239,850 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $88,610 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Nashville, at $236,920 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 240 jobs in this occupation in Tennessee. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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