How much does a physicist make in Nashville?
$236,900a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area. That is $113.90 an hour or $19,740 a month.
- Hourly
- $113.90
- Vs. national median
- +38%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $64,900Median: $236,900Highest 10%: $268,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,900 | $31.20 | |
| 25th | $236,900 | $113.90 | |
| Median | $236,900 | $113.90 | |
| 75th | $236,900 | $113.90 | |
| 90th | $268,300 | $128.98 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for physicists.
| Knoxville, TN | $165,000 |
| Memphis, TN | $139,800 |
Related jobs in Nashville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Psychologist | $138,100 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $84,350 |
| Geoscientist | $83,970 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $83,410 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $80,860 |
| Biological Scientist | $80,500 |
| School Psychologist | $80,420 |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | $79,440 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,480 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $77,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in Nashville?
The median hourly pay in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $113.90 ($236,900 a year).
Do physicists make more in Nashville than the national average?
Yes: $236,900 against $172,300 nationally, 38% more.
How does Nashville compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $165,000, so Nashville pays 44% more.
Where does Nashville rank for physicist pay?
4 of 60 metro areas with data.
How much does a physicist make starting out in Nashville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $64,900 or less a year; the top 10% make $268,300 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.