How much does a physicist make in Memphis?
$139,800a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. That is $67.22 an hour or $11,650 a month.
- Hourly
- $67.22
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among cities
- 41 of 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $65,480Median: $139,800Highest 10%: $258,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $65,480 | $31.48 | |
| 25th | $93,980 | $45.18 | |
| Median | $139,800 | $67.22 | |
| 75th | $197,600 | $95.00 | |
| 90th | $258,600 | $124.35 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for physicists.
| Nashville, TN | $236,900 |
| Knoxville, TN | $165,000 |
Related jobs in Memphis
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Microbiologist | $114,800 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $96,610 |
| Biological Scientist | $86,380 |
| School Psychologist | $84,390 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $81,990 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $78,950 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $78,320 |
| Chemist | $76,980 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $71,870 |
| Life | $59,330 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in Memphis?
The median hourly pay in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $67.22 ($139,800 a year).
Do physicists make more in Memphis than the national average?
No: $139,800 against $172,300 nationally, 19% less.
How does Memphis compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $165,000, so Memphis pays 15% less.
Where does Memphis rank for physicist pay?
41 of 60 metro areas with data.
How much does a physicist make starting out in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $65,480 or less a year; the top 10% make $258,600 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.