Physicists Salary in Tennessee
The median pay for a physicists in Tennessee is $173,660/year ($83.49/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $227K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $174K get you in Tennessee?
About physicists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level physicists (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $174K.Top earners bring in $227K or more - a $162K spread from bottom to top.
Physicists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $223K | +34% | 60 |
| Florida | $209K | +26% | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $208K | +25% | 540 |
| Arizona | $191K | +15% | 70 |
| Oregon | $184K | +11% | 120 |
| California | $181K | +9% | 6,220 |
| Missouri | $180K | +9% | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $179K | +8% | 30 |
| New Mexico | $176K | +6% | 770 |
| New York | $174K | +5% | 1,190 |
| Wisconsin | $174K | +5% | 220 |
| Tennessee | $174K | +4% | 260 |
| Connecticut | $172K | +3% | 70 |
| North Carolina | $171K | +3% | 170 |
| Texas | $170K | +3% | 700 |
Track physicists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do physicists make in Tennessee?
The median is $173,660 a year - that works out to about $83.49 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,930, and experienced physicists can clear $226,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $174K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,788/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,274/month (median of metro areas), which eats 11.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physicists salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physicists salary is worth about $173,660 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physicists 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.