Historian Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Historians in Tennessee, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$71,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $76,750
State Rank
#20 of 35
40 employed here

How much does a Historian make in Tennessee?

Historians in Tennessee take home a median of $71,080 annually — roughly $34.17 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $76,750.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $47,090 while the top 10% make $92,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,050 and $79,700 a year.

Historian salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,090$22.64
25th percentile (early career)$64,050$30.79
50th percentile (median)$71,080$34.17
75th percentile (experienced)$79,700$38.32
90th percentile (top earners)$92,270$44.36

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 20th out of 35 states and territories for Historian pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$121,710
2Maryland$120,580
3District of Columbia$118,290
4Minnesota$103,040
5Virginia$101,920

Working as a Historian in Tennessee

Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Historians in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.

Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($71,080) 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 Historian make in Tennessee?
The median Historian salary in Tennessee is $71,080 per year, or about $34.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,090 at the entry level to $92,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Historians about 7% less than the national median of $76,750. Tennessee ranks 20th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Historians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $71,080 a year. About 40 Historians 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 Historian salary report

Related salaries

Forest and Conservation Technicians

$54,560
median pay · 30,000 employed

Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

$61,560
median pay · 31,000 employed

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

$90,150
median pay · 141,000 employed

Geographer

$102,040
median pay · 1,000 employed

Soil and Plant Scientists

$78,850
median pay · 16,000 employed

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

$101,920
median pay · 23,000 employed
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.