Tennessee Median
$87,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $91,240
State Rank
#24 of 51
960 employed here
How much does a Chemist make in Tennessee?
A Chemist working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $87,930 per year, or about $42.27 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $91,240 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $48,530 while the top 10% make $132,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,420 and $104,030 a year.
Chemist salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,530 | $23.33 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $58,420 | $28.09 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $87,930 | $42.27 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $104,030 | $50.01 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,630 | $63.76 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories for Chemist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemist salary in other states
District of Columbia $149,860Maryland $140,670Delaware $129,860New Mexico $126,960Massachusetts $125,000Alaska $106,010Oregon $104,590Louisiana $103,890Wyoming $102,000Colorado $101,980Rhode Island $101,660New Hampshire $100,050Texas $99,640Minnesota $99,280Connecticut $98,140California $97,860Alabama $97,830Michigan $97,440Washington $97,420North Dakota $97,330Virginia $96,650Georgia $92,750New York $90,600Vermont $86,120Iowa $86,100West Virginia $85,560Ohio $85,270Illinois $85,230New Jersey $84,450Hawaii $84,150Kentucky $84,090Kansas $82,820Missouri $82,800Florida $82,740North Carolina $82,620Arizona $81,730Nevada $81,170Utah $80,770Mississippi $80,060South Carolina $79,670Indiana $78,770Wisconsin $78,730Idaho $78,000Pennsylvania $77,090Arkansas $75,570Oklahoma $74,960Nebraska $74,890South Dakota $67,440Maine $64,440Montana $61,890
Working as a Chemist in Tennessee
Nationally, about 83,000 people work as Chemists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($87,930) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chemist make in Tennessee?
The median Chemist salary in Tennessee is $87,930 per year, or about $42.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,530 at the entry level to $132,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Chemists about 4% less than the national median of $91,240. Tennessee ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Chemists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $87,930 a year. About 960 Chemists are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chemist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.