Chemist Salary in Tennessee
Based on 960+ workers in Tennessee
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (TN)
$87,930
$42.27/hr
vs National Average
$92,010
-4.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$49K – $133K
960 employed in Tennessee
Salary Distribution — Chemist in Tennessee
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,530 |
| 25th percentile | $58,420 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $87,930 |
| 75th percentile | $104,030 |
| 90th percentile | $132,630 |
Top-Paying Industries for Chemist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Chemists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Chemists in Tennessee tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | $123,380 | 610 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $112,840 | 3K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $109,990 | 190 |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $107,330 | 10K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $96,840 | 160 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Chemist in Tennessee vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Tennessee) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $68,260 |
| 2023 | $83,980 |
| 2024 | $65,340 |
| 2025 | $87,930 |
| 2026 (projected) | $93,206 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Tennessee Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $68,260 | $79,362 |
| 2023 | $83,980 | $83,812 |
| 2024 | $65,340 | $86,969 |
| 2025 | $87,930 | $92,010 |
| 2026 (projected) | $93,206 | $97,531 |
Chemist Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $58,420 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $87,930 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $104,030 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $132,630 |
Chemist Salary in Other States
Related Chemist Salaries in Tennessee
How other high-demand occupations in Tennessee compare to Chemist ($87,930 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Chemist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicist in TN | $165,010 | +87.7% | $79.33/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in TN | $134,560 | +53.0% | $64.69/hr |
| Medical Scientist in TN | $102,720 | +16.8% | $49.38/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in TN | $78,970 | -10.2% | $37.97/hr |
| Geoscientist in TN | $77,870 | -11.4% | $37.44/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in TN | $76,840 | -12.6% | $36.94/hr |
| Psychologist in TN | $76,820 | -12.6% | $36.93/hr |
| Network Administrator in TN | $88,100 | +0.2% | $42.36/hr |
| Financial Examiner in TN | $87,110 | -0.9% | $41.88/hr |
| Budget Analyst in TN | $86,570 | -1.5% | $41.62/hr |
| Art Director in TN | $89,860 | +2.2% | $43.20/hr |
| Project Management Specialist in TN | $85,890 | -2.3% | $41.29/hr |