Physicist salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Physicists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $236,920 a year ($113.90 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $64,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $268,270 for the top 10%. That is 38% higher than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 44% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $165,010. The average (mean) salary is $208,700, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| 25th percentile | $236,920 | $113.90 |
| Median | $236,920 | $113.90 |
| 75th percentile | $236,920 | $113.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $268,270 | $128.98 |
| Average (mean) | $208,700 | $100.34 |
Half of physicists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $19,743.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,871.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $9,112.31 |
| Weekly | $4,556.15 |
| Hourly | $113.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $236,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physicist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $165,010 | 120 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $139,810 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 |
| California | $207,490 |
| Oregon | $200,320 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 |
| Texas | $184,040 |
| New York | $181,970 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 |
See Physicist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,800 | $37.40 |
| Chemist | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $83,970 | $40.37 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| School Psychologist | $80,420 | $38.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $80,860 | $38.87 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,440 | $28.58 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for physicists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $236,920 a year, or $113.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $268,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of physicists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $268,270 a year. The top 25% earn $236,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,900 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $236,920 or less.