Physicists Salary in Nashville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Median annual salary $226,750 +36.4% vs national
Median hourly $109.02
10th percentile $223,590
90th percentile $226,750
National median $166,290

Compare Physicists salary & buying power

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Physicists
in
Nashville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $223,590
    25th
    $226,750
    50th (median)
    $226,750
    75th
    $226,750
    90th
    $226,750

    Nashville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,499 2023 • Census ACS
    Physicists salary vs area income 275% Median Physicists salary is 175% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physicists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $266,260
    Cleveland, OH $225,930
    Minnesota $222,550
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $219,070
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $215,340
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $214,520

    Nearby metros — Physicists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $132,250
    Knoxville, TN $126,690

    Related occupations in Nashville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $84,850
    Biological Technicians $56,450
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $78,900
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $76,700
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $92,320
    School Psychologists $72,240

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physicists make per hour in Nashville?

    The median hourly wage for Physicists in Nashville, TN is $109.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $128.98 or more per hour.

    Is Nashville above or below average for Physicists salaries?

    The median Physicists salary in Nashville, TN is 36.4% above the national median of $166,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Physicists in Nashville?

    Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $223,590 per year in Nashville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $226,750.