Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Physicists actually take home in Tennessee?
No state income tax — 25.3% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Physicists earning $165,010 in Tennessee (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $165,010 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$29,140 | 17.7% |
| Tennessee State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$10,230 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$2,392 | 1.4% |
| Total Taxes | -$41,764 | 25.3% |
| Take-Home Pay | $123,245 | 74.7% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Physicists in Tennessee.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $88,610 | -$18,113 | $70,496 | 20.4% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $107,700 | -$23,774 | $83,925 | 22.1% |
| Median (P50) | $165,010 | -$41,764 | $123,245 | 25.3% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $236,920 | -$63,049 | $173,870 | 26.6% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $239,850 | -$64,056 | $175,793 | 26.7% |
Tennessee has no state income tax, which means a Physicists keeps $123,245 of their $165,010 salary — 74.7% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Tennessee one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
With an effective total rate of 25.3%, a Physicists in Tennessee keeps $123,246 of $165,010 gross — roughly typical for U.S. middle-income earners once federal, FICA and state taxes are combined.
Tennessee is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Physicists, 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 ($29,141) accounts for 70% of the total tax bill — the single largest deduction. FICA adds $12,623 (30%), and state tax the remaining $0 (0%).
Tennessee ranks #12 of 43 states for Physicists after-tax pay — comfortably in the upper half.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $123,246 net/year works out to $10,270/month or $4,740/bi-weekly for this Physicists in Tennessee — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Physicists keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Tennessee ranks #12 out of 43 states for Physicists after-tax take-home pay.
A Physicists in Tennessee earning a median salary of $165,010 will take home approximately $123,245 per year after federal income tax ($29,140), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($12,623). That is $10,270 per month or $4,740 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Physicists in Tennessee is 25.3%, broken down as: federal income tax 17.7%, 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 Physicists 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 25.3%.
After all taxes, a Physicists in Tennessee takes home approximately $10,270 per month, or about $59.25 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 $165,010 for Physicists 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 — $123,245/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