Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary in Nashville, TN

Based on 18 certified H-1B filings in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Franklin, La Vergne.

Also listed as: Machine Learning Engineer, AI Researcher

Median salary$131,500
Middle 50%$92.9k–$173.7k
vs. national median−29%comparison median $185,536
Filings18FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years

Salary range

Box: middle 50% of filings. Whiskers: 10th–90th percentile. 99% of filings are between $75,850 and $204,000.
PercentileSalary
10th$82,800
25th$92,854
50th (median)$131,500
75th$173,686
90th$204,000

Cost of living

Nashville's median Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary of $131,500 is worth about $136,500 at national average prices.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Nashville = 96.3).

Compared with all workers here

All Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Nashville, TN area earned a median of $111,090 in May 2025. The H-1B median here is $131,500, 18% higher.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.

Top employers filing

EmployerMedianFilings
Vanderbilt University$116,41611
Squad Softwaretoo few3
Amazontoo few2

Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.

By experience level

Wage levelMedianFilings
Entry-level · Level I – 0
Mid-level · Level II too few 6
Senior · Level III too few 2
Expert · Level IV too few 7

Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.