Physicists in Tennessee. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
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 $107,700 and $236,920, with a median of $165,010.
Physicists in Tennessee: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 57 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 | 22 | $83,008 |
| Level II — qualified | 29 | $128,604 |
| Level III — experienced | 6 | $159,796 |
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) | Diffraction Neutron Scattering Scientist | 44 | $126,735 |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | Post-Doctoral Research Associate | 8 | $65,645 |
| Vanderbilt University | Postdoctoral Research Scholar | 2 | $65,050 |
| GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC | LEAD SCIENTIST - PHYSICS | 1 | $121,500 |
| Indiana University | Postdoctoral Fellow | 1 | $67,018 |
| ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | Sr Physicist | 1 | $138,320 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Postdoc-Polarized Neutron Scattering Instrumentation at UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY)$86,220Oak RidgeWage Level IDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-726520
- Post-Doctoral Research Associate at THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE$67,018KnoxvilleWage Level IDecided Feb 3, 2026I-200-26027-593166
- Sr Physicist at ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL$138,320MemphisWage Level IIIDecided Jan 23, 2026I-200-26015-562431
- Postdoctoral Fellow at Indiana University$67,018KnoxvilleWage Level IDecided Aug 26, 2025I-200-25231-252209
- Postdoctoral Research Associate -Theory of Quantum Materials at UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY)$95,002Oak RidgeWage Level IIDecided Aug 15, 2025I-200-25220-231286
- Postdoc Res Assoc-Neutron Scattering & Quantum Materials at UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY)$87,984Oak RidgeWage Level IDecided Aug 15, 2025I-200-25220-230884
- Plasma Material Interactions (PMI) Research Scientist at UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY)$130,008Oak RidgeWage Level IIDecided Aug 12, 2025I-200-25217-222522
- milliKelvin Scanning Tunneling Microscopy - R&D Associate at UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY)$160,174Oak RidgeWage Level IIIDecided Aug 4, 2025I-200-25209-203944
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.
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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 57 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $126,735.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) | 44 | $126,735 |
| Education | THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | 11 | $66,500 |
| Healthcare | ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | 1 | $138,320 |
| 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 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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 $165,010.
- How does Tennessee compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The Tennessee median is -0.6% versus the BLS national figure of $166,057.
- What is the salary range for Physicists in Tennessee?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $88,610 and the 90th-percentile at $239,850, 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.