Materials Scientists Salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
The median pay for a materials scientists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is $70,870/year ($34.07/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $95K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.34), that's roughly $73,562 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,730/month — about 35.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $71K get you in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin’s Regional Price Parity (96.34). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About materials scientists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Entry-level materials scientists (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $71K. Top earners bring in $95K or more, a $50K spread from bottom to top.
Materials Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $136K | +31% | 80 |
| California | $132K | +26% | 610 |
| New York | $125K | +20% | 630 |
| Florida | $123K | +18% | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $121K | +16% | 140 |
| Illinois | $120K | +16% | 470 |
| Virginia | $119K | +14% | 160 |
| Utah | $119K | +14% | 80 |
| Massachusetts | $118K | +14% | 720 |
| Oklahoma | $116K | +11% | 60 |
| Minnesota | $114K | +10% | 360 |
| Washington | $110K | +6% | 290 |
| Maryland | $106K | +2% | 200 |
| Oregon | $104K | -0% | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $103K | -1% | 290 |
| Ohio | $102K | -2% | 670 |
| Kansas | $98K | -6% | 30 |
| Delaware | $98K | -6% | 100 |
| Iowa | $96K | -8% | 170 |
| Indiana | $95K | -9% | 40 |
| North Carolina | $95K | -9% | 370 |
| Michigan | $93K | -10% | 170 |
| South Carolina | $88K | -16% | 60 |
| Nevada | $86K | -17% | 70 |
| Maine | $83K | -20% | 50 |
| New Jersey | $83K | -20% | 630 |
| Georgia | $81K | -22% | 250 |
| Texas | $81K | -23% | 380 |
| Montana | $57K | -46% | 60 |
Showing 1–10 of 29 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track materials scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do materials scientists make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median is $70,870 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,750, and experienced materials scientists can clear $94,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $71K enough to live in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,854/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,730/month, which eats 35.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a materials scientists salary go in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin has a Regional Price Parity of 96.34 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median materials scientists salary is worth about $73,562 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do materials scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.