Top Paying Jobs in Tennessee
Tennessee has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 343,280 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Cardiologists ($610,080), Dermatologists ($433,630), Surgeons, All Other ($373,510). The cost of living index is 89.78 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,215/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$149K
Avg. median salary
89.78
Cost of living index
$1,215
Median 2BR rent
10,353,784
Population
Highest paying careers in Tennessee
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Neurologists | Healthcare | $230K | $110.42/hr |
| 12 | Family Medicine Physicians | Healthcare | $227K | $109.05/hr |
| 13 | Dentists, General | Healthcare | $215K | $103.51/hr |
| 14 | Psychiatrists | Healthcare | $215K | $103.31/hr |
| 15 | Podiatrists | Healthcare | $212K | $102.15/hr |
| 16 | Nurse Anesthetists | Healthcare | $211K | $101.66/hr |
| 17 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | Legal | $208K | $100.17/hr |
| 18 | Chief Executives | Management | $199K | $95.59/hr |
| 19 | Pediatricians, General | Healthcare | $176K | $84.72/hr |
| 20 | Physicists | Science | $165K | $79.33/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Tennessee
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-10.2% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,215/mo
Planning a move? Compare costs with other locations:
Metro areas in Tennessee
Click a metro for detailed salary, rent, and cost-of-living data specific to that area.
Chattanooga
$1,390/mo rentRPP 91.5
Clarksville$1,346/mo rentRPP 90.9
Cleveland$1,233/mo rentRPP 88.1
Jackson$1,260/mo rentRPP 85.5
Johnson City$1,132/mo rentRPP 87.9
Kingsport-Bristol$1,044/mo rentRPP 86.4
Knoxville$1,471/mo rentRPP 92.6
Memphis$777/mo rentRPP 92.2
Morristown$1,135/mo rentRPP 86.4
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin$1,470/mo rentRPP 96.3
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