Physical Scientists, All Other Salary
The median pay for a physical scientists, all other in Tennessee is $129,570/year ($62.29/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $241K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $144,319 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 14.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $130K get you in Tennessee?
About physical scientists, all others
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Physical scientists, all other pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $130K locally vs. $123K nationwide, a 6% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,215/month, 14.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level physical scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $130K. Top earners bring in $241K or more, a $195K spread from bottom to top.
Physical Scientists, All Other salary by metro in Tennessee
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | $137K | +6% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track physical scientists, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a physical scientists, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $130K, rent takes 14.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for physical scientists, all others in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new physical scientists, all others typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,801/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 43% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is physical scientists, all other a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $130K locally vs. $123K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for physical scientists, all others?
Tennessee pays $130K median vs. the U.S. average of $123K — that’s +6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $144K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do physical scientists, all others make in Tennessee?
The median is $129,570 a year, that works out to about $62 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,680, and experienced physical scientists, all others can clear $241,340. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $130K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,276/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 14.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physical scientists, all other salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (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 physical scientists, all other salary is worth about $144,319 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physical scientists, all others 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.