Highest-paying jobs in Tennessee
Answer
Cardiologists have the highest median pay in Tennessee, $610,080 a year, followed by anesthesiologists ($330,620) and general internal medicine physicians ($232,220). The median for all jobs in Tennessee is $47,380, 41st of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 32nd.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $47,380
- 41st of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $22.78
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 91.9
- Median worth $51,573 at US prices (32nd)
- Jobs
- 3,278,760
- 684 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in Tennessee, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Tennessee are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Tennessee
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiologists | $610,080 | $293.31 | 560 | $496,010 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Anesthesiologists | $330,620 | $158.95 | 840 | $391,490 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 3 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $232,220 | $111.64 | 1,370 | $256,560 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 4 | Family Medicine Physicians | $226,830 | $109.05 | 2,260 | $244,180 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 5 | Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 | 2,200 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 6 | Nurse Anesthetists | $211,450 | $101.66 | 1,690 | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| 7 | Chief Executives | $198,830 | $95.59 | 4,700 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Pediatricians, General | $176,210 | $84.72 | 740 | $210,040 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 9 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $161,430 | $77.61 | 3,600 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $158,700 | $76.30 | 12,040 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Air Traffic Controllers | $157,330 | $75.64 | 590 | $148,080 | Associate's degree |
| 12 | Financial Managers | $141,010 | $67.79 | 17,630 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Purchasing Managers | $137,060 | $65.89 | 1,460 | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Lawyers | $136,180 | $65.47 | 9,010 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 15 | Optometrists | $134,170 | $64.51 | 660 | $136,570 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 16 | Pharmacists | $133,390 | $64.13 | 8,250 | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 17 | Compensation and Benefits Managers | $132,780 | $63.84 | 670 | $149,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $132,710 | $63.80 | 940 | $92,460 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 19 | Marketing Managers | $131,990 | $63.46 | 7,730 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Human Resources Managers | $131,760 | $63.35 | 4,310 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 21 | Aerospace Engineers | $128,510 | $61.78 | 610 | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| 22 | Sales Managers | $128,040 | $61.56 | 12,270 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Administrative Services Managers | $127,410 | $61.25 | 8,170 | $114,130 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Public Relations Managers | $127,390 | $61.24 | 700 | $146,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Natural Sciences Managers | $124,530 | $59.87 | 880 | $167,220 | Bachelor's degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Tennessee without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $100,740 | $48.43 | 4,910 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $100,490 | $48.31 | 700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $85,980 | $41.34 | 4,510 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $83,660 | $40.22 | 3,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Locomotive Engineers | $81,410 | $39.14 | 700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,010 | $37.50 | 6,390 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,090 | $37.06 | 1,860 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $75,830 | $36.46 | 15,070 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 | $35.95 | 4,430 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $74,470 | $35.81 | 17,770 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,140 | $35.64 | 740 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Tire Builders | $74,100 | $35.63 | 1,360 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $71,740 | $34.49 | 790 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,810 | $33.56 | 3,820 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $68,190 | $32.78 | 5,360 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in Tennessee
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 105,870 | $38,160 | $18.35 | No formal educational credential |
| 2 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 90,690 | $27,470 | $13.21 | No formal educational credential |
| 3 | Retail Salespersons | 87,380 | $31,950 | $15.36 | No formal educational credential |
| 4 | Registered Nurses | 72,200 | $81,500 | $39.18 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 64,890 | $58,620 | $28.18 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 6 | General and Operations Managers | 63,720 | $106,970 | $51.43 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Cashiers | 63,350 | $28,590 | $13.74 | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 60,130 | $36,140 | $17.38 | No formal educational credential |
| 9 | Customer Service Representatives | 59,730 | $42,830 | $20.59 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 58,760 | $44,630 | $21.46 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Waiters and Waitresses | 52,120 | $27,760 | $13.35 | No formal educational credential |
| 12 | Office Clerks, General | 49,880 | $38,860 | $18.68 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 49,870 | $66,390 | $31.92 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 41,810 | $39,940 | $19.20 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 38,120 | $33,440 | $16.08 | No formal educational credential |
| 16 | Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 37,680 | $48,180 | $23.16 | Some college, no degree |
| 17 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 35,950 | $32,130 | $15.45 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 18 | Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | 35,790 | $47,240 | $22.71 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 19 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 34,580 | $45,810 | $22.03 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 20 | Light Truck Drivers | 33,710 | $45,050 | $21.66 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in Tennessee
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 6.1× | 1,140 | $43,810 |
| 2 | Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | 5.4× | 1,460 | $46,280 |
| 3 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 4.5× | 1,170 | $43,710 |
| 4 | Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 3.4× | 4,210 | $41,970 |
| 5 | Procurement Clerks | 3.3× | 3,900 | $38,710 |
| 6 | Tire Builders | 3.1× | 1,360 | $74,100 |
| 7 | Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2.9× | 1,950 | $47,180 |
| 8 | Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | 2.8× | 1,820 | $45,620 |
| 9 | Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | 2.7× | 730 | $75,390 |
| 10 | Musicians and Singers | 2.4× | 1,860 | — |
| 11 | Tool and Die Makers | 2.4× | 2,930 | $60,760 |
| 12 | Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 2.4× | 1,660 | $39,510 |
What 134 careers pay in Tennessee
Click a heading to sort
| Cardiologist | $610,080 | 5 | $664,069 | $496,010 | 560 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatologist | $433,630 | 8 | $472,004 | $328,730 | 100 |
| OB-GYN | $354,580 | 11 | $385,958 | $292,910 | 360 |
| Orthodontist | $339,610 | 6 | $369,664 | $289,140 | — |
| Anesthesiologist | $330,620 | 21 | $359,878 | $391,490 | 840 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $325,520 | 22 | $354,327 | $358,550 | 180 |
| Neurologist | $229,670 | 20 | $249,995 | $248,560 | 220 |
| Dentist | $215,290 | 4 | $234,342 | $170,950 | 2,200 |
| Psychiatrist | $214,880 | 37 | $233,896 | $281,870 | 410 |
| CRNA | $211,450 | 38 | $230,162 | $236,590 | 1,690 |
| Judge | $208,350 | 6 | $226,788 | $153,990 | 420 |
| Pediatrician | $176,210 | 41 | $191,804 | $210,040 | 740 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $157,330 | 13 | $171,253 | $148,080 | 590 |
| Airline Pilot | $143,580 | 29 | $156,286 | $232,140 | 110 |
| Lawyer | $136,180 | 20 | $148,231 | $159,670 | 9,010 |
| Optometrist | $134,170 | 30 | $146,043 | $136,570 | 660 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | 48 | $145,194 | $140,910 | 8,250 |
| Marketing Manager | $131,990 | 34 | $143,670 | $166,790 | 7,730 |
| HR Manager | $131,760 | 28 | $143,420 | $149,280 | 4,310 |
| Computer Engineer | $130,830 | 22 | $142,408 | $161,740 | — |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,510 | 26 | $139,882 | $134,960 | 610 |
| Veterinarian | $124,350 | 33 | $135,354 | $130,100 | 1,730 |
| Network Engineer | $123,860 | 30 | $134,821 | $134,050 | 4,330 |
| Software Engineer | $122,430 | 35 | $133,264 | $135,980 | 19,030 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,240 | 48 | $128,704 | $135,880 | 2,240 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | 50 | $127,996 | $132,300 | 12,150 |
| Commercial Pilot | $117,480 | 24 | $127,876 | $123,220 | 1,030 |
| Nurse Midwife | $116,980 | 35 | $127,332 | $134,040 | 330 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $115,430 | 26 | $125,645 | $129,180 | 3,330 |
| Construction Manager | $110,200 | 25 | $119,952 | $114,990 | 5,860 |
| Actuary | $108,930 | 30 | $118,570 | $130,000 | 300 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $107,120 | 37 | $116,600 | $123,860 | 14,160 |
| Operations Manager | $106,970 | 20 | $116,436 | $105,770 | 63,720 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $106,470 | 14 | $115,892 | $109,370 | 170 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,450 | 38 | $113,693 | $120,630 | 2,830 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $100,490 | 26 | $109,383 | $109,910 | 700 |
| Data Scientist | $100,330 | 31 | $109,209 | $120,230 | 2,790 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | 31 | $109,002 | $102,760 | 4,800 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,550 | 35 | $108,360 | $104,110 | 3,930 |
| Business Analyst | $99,260 | 25 | $108,044 | $101,860 | 13,700 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | 30 | $106,346 | $100,330 | 2,490 |
| School Principal | $97,590 | 39 | $106,226 | $105,870 | 6,180 |
| Meteorologist | $96,190 | 28 | $104,702 | $99,070 | 230 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,910 | 40 | $104,398 | $100,840 | 5,790 |
| Architect | $94,030 | 40 | $102,351 | $99,280 | 2,570 |
| Financial Analyst | $92,990 | 33 | $101,219 | $102,740 | 4,910 |
| Audiologist | $90,540 | 34 | $98,552 | $95,780 | 270 |
| Project Manager | $85,890 | 43 | $93,491 | $102,320 | 20,780 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | 42 | $92,130 | $98,100 | 4,570 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $84,630 | 32 | $92,119 | $97,870 | 3,320 |
| Financial Advisor | $84,160 | 36 | $91,608 | $105,070 | 3,970 |
| Chiropractor | $83,990 | 13 | $91,423 | $79,200 | 500 |
| Lineman | $83,660 | 38 | $91,063 | $95,320 | 3,900 |
| Radiation Therapist | $83,520 | 43 | $90,911 | $105,310 | 350 |
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | 41 | $88,712 | $97,550 | 72,200 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $81,500 | 41 | $88,712 | $97,550 | 72,200 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $81,500 | 41 | $88,712 | $97,550 | 72,200 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $81,500 | 41 | $88,712 | $97,550 | 72,200 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $81,500 | 41 | $88,712 | $97,550 | 72,200 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $81,500 | 41 | $88,712 | $97,550 | 72,200 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $81,040 | 20 | $88,212 | $79,870 | 4,670 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $80,640 | 48 | $87,776 | $96,590 | 1,880 |
| MRI Technician | $78,610 | 48 | $85,567 | $95,480 | 1,350 |
| Claims Adjuster | $78,010 | 22 | $84,913 | $78,000 | 6,390 |
| Detective | $77,090 | 38 | $83,912 | $93,790 | 1,860 |
| School Psychologist | $76,850 | 36 | $83,651 | $95,990 | 900 |
| Accountant | $76,840 | 38 | $83,640 | $83,680 | 27,340 |
| Psychologist | $76,820 | 43 | $83,618 | $100,580 | 1,180 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $76,650 | 28 | $83,433 | $74,310 | 1,030 |
| Web Developer | $74,760 | 35 | $81,376 | $92,650 | 1,620 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $73,570 | 29 | $80,081 | $76,780 | 310 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,140 | 46 | $78,524 | $82,280 | 3,440 |
| Train Conductor | $71,740 | 19 | $78,089 | $78,000 | 790 |
| Forensic Scientist | $70,500 | 18 | $76,739 | $72,060 | 300 |
| Chef | $69,810 | 10 | $75,988 | $62,470 | 3,820 |
| Nutritionist | $67,620 | 37 | $73,604 | $76,400 | 1,230 |
| HR Specialist | $67,370 | 36 | $73,332 | $75,940 | 21,460 |
| Radiology Technician | $64,630 | 47 | $70,349 | $80,110 | 4,660 |
| Interior Designer | $63,660 | 25 | $69,294 | $67,190 | 1,530 |
| UX Designer | $63,510 | 42 | $69,130 | $104,000 | 3,610 |
| Loan Officer | $62,800 | 44 | $68,357 | $76,690 | 6,510 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,500 | 39 | $68,031 | $68,380 | 3,390 |
| Librarian | $62,090 | 33 | $67,585 | $68,270 | 2,540 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $62,070 | 25 | $67,563 | $62,930 | 8,410 |
| High School Teacher | $61,860 | 35 | $67,334 | $72,040 | 21,230 |
| TSA Officer | $61,110 | 39 | $66,518 | $66,770 | 840 |
| Electrician | $61,090 | 37 | $66,496 | $63,190 | 17,070 |
| Surgical Technician | $60,530 | 42 | $65,887 | $64,650 | 3,310 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,980 | 38 | $65,288 | $63,970 | 28,240 |
| School Counselor | $59,960 | 34 | $65,266 | $64,330 | 6,470 |
| Athletic Trainer | $59,850 | 36 | $65,146 | $62,520 | 580 |
| Crane Operator | $59,410 | 44 | $64,667 | $68,080 | 660 |
| Police Officer | $59,280 | 43 | $64,526 | $76,210 | 15,630 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,190 | 39 | $64,428 | $61,770 | 5,720 |
| LPN | $58,870 | 44 | $64,080 | $64,400 | 20,830 |
| Paralegal | $58,820 | 36 | $64,025 | $62,890 | 6,080 |
| Truck Driver | $58,620 | 28 | $63,808 | $58,640 | 64,890 |
| Plumber | $58,600 | 41 | $63,786 | $63,800 | 9,270 |
| Mail Carrier | $58,570 | 44 | $63,753 | $60,550 | 7,310 |
| Paramedic | $57,690 | 33 | $62,795 | $60,600 | 3,710 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,270 | 32 | $62,338 | $62,960 | 3,880 |
| Insurance Agent | $57,120 | 41 | $62,175 | $62,280 | 7,610 |
| IT Support Specialist | $55,990 | 42 | $60,945 | $61,860 | 11,920 |
| HVAC Technician | $55,490 | 45 | $60,401 | $61,010 | 9,740 |
| Correctional Officer | $50,940 | 34 | $55,448 | $58,940 | 6,990 |
| Carpenter | $50,830 | 38 | $55,328 | $60,580 | 8,200 |
| Auto Mechanic | $50,290 | 28 | $54,740 | $50,620 | 16,210 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,070 | 40 | $54,501 | $58,450 | 1,230 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $49,580 | 47 | $53,968 | $59,350 | 9,040 |
| Private Investigator | $49,360 | 26 | $53,728 | $51,220 | 940 |
| Firefighter | $49,300 | 30 | $53,663 | $59,280 | 7,020 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $48,780 | 38 | $53,097 | $51,140 | 4,440 |
| Welder | $48,040 | 50 | $52,291 | $53,750 | 12,510 |
| Bus Driver | $47,770 | 36 | $51,997 | $59,050 | 1,970 |
| Personal Trainer | $47,380 | 16 | $51,573 | $47,160 | 5,080 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $46,990 | 23 | $51,148 | $47,700 | 1,590 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,720 | 34 | $50,854 | $48,070 | 7,420 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $46,700 | 42 | $50,833 | $66,940 | 1,440 |
| Real Estate Agent | $46,250 | 39 | $50,343 | $52,830 | 2,360 |
| Mortician | $46,180 | 40 | $50,267 | $55,010 | 550 |
| Construction Worker | $45,000 | 37 | $48,982 | $47,120 | 26,250 |
| Garbage Collector | $43,270 | 41 | $47,099 | $49,690 | 2,550 |
| Vet Tech | $42,810 | 38 | $46,598 | $47,380 | 1,640 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,920 | 40 | $45,630 | $45,750 | 11,870 |
| EMT | $40,330 | 31 | $43,899 | $44,470 | 3,860 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,570 | 41 | $43,072 | $45,690 | 19,180 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,550 | 45 | $41,961 | $45,230 | 3,520 |
| CNA | $37,990 | 40 | $41,352 | $42,260 | 27,040 |
| Esthetician | $36,590 | 47 | $39,828 | $45,330 | 1,710 |
| Nail Technician | $34,810 | 32 | $37,890 | $35,760 | 1,200 |
| Cosmetologist | $31,310 | 38 | $34,081 | $35,790 | 6,080 |
| Substitute Teacher | $29,500 | 42 | $32,111 | $41,670 | 7,690 |
| Bartender | $27,480 | 37 | $29,912 | $34,340 | 10,330 |
| Barber | $24,690 | 36 | $26,875 | $38,210 | — |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.