How much does a physicist make in Tennessee?
$165,000a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in Tennessee. That is $79.33 an hour or $13,750 a month.
- Hourly
- $79.33
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among states
- 18 of 43
- Jobs in the state
- 240
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $88,610Median: $165,000Highest 10%: $239,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $88,610 | $42.60 | |
| 25th | $107,700 | $51.78 | |
| Median | $165,000 | $79.33 | |
| 75th | $236,900 | $113.90 | |
| 90th | $239,900 | $115.31 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Nashville, TN | $236,900 |
| Knoxville, TN | $165,000 |
| Memphis, TN | $139,800 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for physicists.
| 15. Minnesota | $171,200 |
| 16. Louisiana | $166,200 |
| 17. New Mexico | $165,300 |
| 18. Tennessee | $165,000 |
| 19. New Jersey | $163,300 |
| 20. Ohio | $162,900 |
| 21. District of Columbia | $157,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $79.33 ($165,000 a year).
Do physicists make more in Tennessee than the national average?
No: $165,000 against $172,300 nationally, 4% less.
Where does Tennessee rank for physicist pay?
Tennessee ranks 18 of 43 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays physicists the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $236,900 a year.
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.