Tennessee Median
$69,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-41% vs US median
US median $117,790
State Rank
#30 of 30
60 employed here
How much does a Materials Scientist make in Tennessee?
Materials Scientists in Tennessee take home a median of $69,010 annually — roughly $33.18 an hour — which runs 41% below the national median of $117,790.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $57,800 while the top 10% make $150,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,780 and $85,650 a year.
Materials Scientist salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,800 | $27.79 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,780 | $28.74 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $69,010 | $33.18 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $85,650 | $41.18 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,590 | $72.40 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 30th out of 30 states and territories for Materials Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Materials Scientist salary in other states
California $177,030Oregon $150,550Wisconsin $137,700District of Columbia $137,600Massachusetts $132,600Minnesota $132,160New York $131,740Indiana $130,540Connecticut $130,320Washington $127,250Utah $126,840Illinois $125,850Virginia $124,150New Hampshire $119,990Colorado $117,290Kansas $115,490Maryland $112,400Ohio $108,830Michigan $107,410Pennsylvania $106,920North Carolina $106,470New Jersey $103,150Florida $102,340South Carolina $101,930Nevada $97,490Georgia $91,970Iowa $88,320Texas $72,700Montana $71,810
Working as a Materials Scientist in Tennessee
Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Materials Scientists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($69,010) 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 Materials Scientist make in Tennessee?
The median Materials Scientist salary in Tennessee is $69,010 per year, or about $33.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $57,800 at the entry level to $150,590 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Materials Scientists about 41% less than the national median of $117,790. Tennessee ranks 30th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Materials Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $69,010 a year. About 60 Materials Scientists 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 Materials Scientist 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.