Physicists Salary in Tennessee
Physicists in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $165,010 —4.2% below the national median of $172,250. That ranks TN #18 of 43 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.55× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
Highest-paying states for physicists
All 43 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $225,390 | $108.36 | 340 | 0.26 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $214,030 | $102.90 | 30 | 0.38 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $210,990 | $101.44 | 230 | 0.28 |
| 4 | California | $207,490 | $99.75 | 5,930 | 2.48 |
| 5 | Oregon | $200,320 | $96.31 | 90 | 0.33 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | $200,050 | $96.18 | 40 | 0.19 |
| 7 | Texas | $184,040 | $88.48 | 580 | 0.31 |
| 8 | New York | $181,970 | $87.48 | 1,140 | 0.90 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $180,910 | $86.98 | 50 | 0.18 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $180,300 | $86.68 | 60 | 0.28 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,190 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,840 | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $87,930 | $91,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $76,820 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $62,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do physicists make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for physicists in Tennessee is $165,010, or $79.33 per hour. That is 4.2% below the national median of $172,250.
What is the entry-level physicists salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $88,610 per year ($42.60/hour). The 25th percentile is $107,700.
How many people work as physicists in Tennessee?
About 240 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for physicists?
Tennessee ranks #18 of 43 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.55x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
Which state pays physicists the most?
Florida has the highest median wage at $225,390 per year, followed by New Hampshire ($214,030) and Pennsylvania ($210,990).