Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Materials Scientists actually take home in Tennessee?
No state income tax — 17.8% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Materials Scientists earning $69,010 in Tennessee (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $69,010 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$7,023 | 10.2% |
| Tennessee State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$4,278 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$1,000 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$12,302 | 17.8% |
| Take-Home Pay | $56,707 | 82.2% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Materials Scientists in Tennessee.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $57,800 | -$9,373 | $48,426 | 16.2% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $59,780 | -$9,762 | $50,017 | 16.3% |
| Median (P50) | $69,010 | -$12,302 | $56,707 | 17.8% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $85,650 | -$17,236 | $68,413 | 20.1% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $150,590 | -$37,200 | $113,389 | 24.7% |
Tennessee has no state income tax, which means a Materials Scientists keeps $56,707 of their $69,010 salary — 82.2% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Tennessee one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
A Materials Scientists in Tennessee faces an effective total tax rate of only 17.8%, keeping 82.2% of every gross dollar. That leaves $56,708 net out of $69,010 gross — a favorable outcome compared to states with combined rates above 30%.
Tennessee is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Materials Scientists, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal income tax ($7,023) accounts for 57% of the total tax bill — the single largest deduction. FICA adds $5,279 (43%), and state tax the remaining $0 (0%).
Tennessee sits near the bottom (#29 of 30) for Materials Scientists after-tax earnings. Relocation, negotiation, or credential stacking typically show the clearest ROI in bottom-quartile states.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $56,708 net/year works out to $4,726/month or $2,181/bi-weekly for this Materials Scientists in Tennessee — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Materials Scientists keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Tennessee ranks #29 out of 30 states for Materials Scientists after-tax take-home pay.
A Materials Scientists in Tennessee earning a median salary of $69,010 will take home approximately $56,707 per year after federal income tax ($7,023), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($5,279). That is $4,725 per month or $2,181 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Materials Scientists in Tennessee is 17.8%, broken down as: federal income tax 10.2%, Tennessee state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.7%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Tennessee does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Materials Scientists in Tennessee only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 17.8%.
After all taxes, a Materials Scientists in Tennessee takes home approximately $4,725 per month, or about $27.26 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $69,010 for Materials Scientists in Tennessee, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Tennessee state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $56,707/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR