ScienceUpdated Q1 2025No state income tax

Physicist Salary
in Nashville, TN

Study the fundamental principles governing matter, energy, space, and time. Median salary in Nashville: $112K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$112K
per year
Take-home: $79K

Salary range in Nashville

Entry level (25th)$78,000
Median (50th)$112,000
Senior (75th)$152,000
Top earner (90th)$200,000

Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Nashville, Tennessee.

Key facts for Nashville

Median salary
$112K
annual
Take-home pay
$79K
after fed/state tax
COL index
102
100 = US avg
State income tax
None
Texas advantage!
Avg 1BR rent
$1,700
per month
YoY growth
+4%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Nashville Physicist to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $112K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Nashville

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Physicist salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$94K$102K$111K$119K$127K201920212023202520272029
2026
$115K
projected
2027
$118K
projected
2028
$121K
projected
2029
$124K
projected
2030
$127K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$112,000+$0
2028 projected$112,000+$0
2029 projected$112,000+$0
2030 projected$112,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Physicist Salary in Nashville, Tennessee: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Physicist salary in Nashville, TN is $112,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Nashville–TN metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Physicist in Nashville

Entry-level Physicists in Nashville with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $78,000 and $112,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $112,000 to $152,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $152,000 to $200,000 or more.

Cost of living in Nashville for Physicists

Nashville has a cost of living index of 102 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Nashville are close to the national average. Crucially, Tennessee has no state income tax — giving Nashville-based Physicists an immediate 3–5% take-home pay advantage over workers in states like California (9.3%) or New York (6.85%).

Education requirements for Physicist

PhD in Physics. 35% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Physicist salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Nashville (current)$112K102
Memphis82
Knoxville85
Chattanooga88
Clarksville82