Salary distribution
Where Tennessee physicists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $125,370 and $226,750, with a median of $173,660.
Physicists in Tennessee: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 47 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $115,800. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 17 | $83,964 |
| Level II — qualified | 21 | $129,605 |
| Level III — experienced | 6 | $160,994 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in Tennessee. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) | Postdoc-Machine Learning Assisted SANS Data Analysis Platfor | 38 | $127,237 |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | Post-doctoral Research Associate | 5 | $62,962 |
| Vanderbilt University | Postdoctoral Research Scholar | 2 | $65,050 |
| Indiana University | Postdoctoral Fellow | 1 | $67,018 |
| GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC | LEAD SCIENTIST - PHYSICS | 1 | $121,500 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Postdoc-Machine Learning Assisted SANS Data Analysis Platfor at UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY)$86,691Oak RidgeDecided Dec 2, 2025I-200-25328-433362
- Postdoctoral Fellow at Indiana University$67,018KnoxvilleWage Level IDecided Aug 26, 2025I-200-25231-252209
- Post-Doctoral Research Associate at THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE$62,878KnoxvilleWage Level IDecided Jul 3, 2025I-200-25177-133294
- Postdoctoral Research Scholar at Vanderbilt University$66,500NashvilleWage Level IDecided Jun 20, 2025I-200-25163-084919
- R&D Associate, Theory and Computation Plasma Physicist at UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY)$150,272Oak RidgeWage Level IIDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25141-003105
- Post-doctoral Research Associate at THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE$64,272KnoxvilleWage Level IDecided May 28, 2025I-200-25140-998638
- Experimental Nuclear Physicist - R&D Associate at UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY)$157,836Oak RidgeWage Level IIDecided May 13, 2025I-200-25126-944239
- Postdoctoral Research Scholar at Vanderbilt University$63,600NashvilleWage Level IDecided May 13, 2025I-200-25126-944762
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Physicists pay by experience level in Tennessee
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Physicists in Tennessee, by industry
Median offered wage across 47 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $127,237.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) | 38 | $127,237 |
| Education | THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | 8 | $63,936 |
| Manufacturing | GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC | 1 | $121,500 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Tennessee over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
- 4.6 / 5
Science
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Mathematics
Basic skill
- 4.3 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- 02
Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
- 03
Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
- 04
Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
- 05
Write research proposals to receive funding.
- 06
Teach physics to students.
- 07
Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
- 08
Conduct research pertaining to potential environmental impacts of atomic energy-related industrial development to determine licensing qualifications.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in Tennessee?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in Tennessee is $173,660.
- How does Tennessee compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The Tennessee median is +7.3% versus the BLS national figure of $161,819.
- What is the salary range for Physicists in Tennessee?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $64,930 and the 90th-percentile at $226,750, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Physicists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Physicists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.