Plumber Salary in Tennessee 2026:
$51,200 Average ($24.62/hr)
Updated 17 April 2026
Tennessee plumbers earn $11,770 below the national median of $62,970. Here is the full breakdown by metro, experience level, and licensing.
Tennessee Median
$51,200/yr
Hourly Rate
$24.62/hr
vs National
$-11,770
Top 10% Earn
$78,400+
Where Tennessee Ranks Nationally
National Rank (Raw Pay)
#41
of 50 states
Cost of Living Index
90
100 = national average
COL-Adjusted Salary
$56,889
purchasing power equiv.
Plumber Pay by Metro Area in Tennessee
Wages vary significantly within the state. Major metros with strong union presence tend to pay the most.
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro | $56,800 |
| Memphis Metro | $50,400 |
| Knoxville Metro | $48,800 |
| Chattanooga Metro | $49,600 |
| Clarksville Metro | $46,400 |
Source: BLS OES May 2024 Metropolitan Area data. Figures are estimates based on available MSA data.
Pay by Experience Level in Tennessee
Career stage matters more than any other factor except geography. Here is what each level earns in Tennessee.
| Career Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $15 - $19/hr | $31,000 - $39,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4) | $19 - $24/hr | $40,000 - $50,000 |
| Journeyman | $24 - $34/hr | $50,000 - $71,000 |
| Master Plumber (Employee) | $32 - $44/hr | $67,000 - $92,000 |
| Self-Employed Owner | $70 - $135/hr billed | $60,000 - $165,000 net |
Tennessee Plumbing License Requirements
To work legally as a plumber in Tennessee, you must hold the appropriate state license. Here is what is required.
Licensing Authority
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance - Board for Licensing Contractors
Journeyman Requirement
Tennessee does not require a state journeyman license; some municipalities (Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville) require a city journeyman or master license
Master Plumber Requirement
Limited Licensed Plumber for projects under $25,000; full Plumbing Contractor license required above. Contractor exam + financial statement + 3 to 5 years of experience.
Reciprocity
Some local reciprocity; verify with each city
Exam Fee
$250 contractor application + exam fees vary
Full 50-state licensing matrix: plumbing license requirements by state.
Union Plumbers in Tennessee
UA Local 572 (Nashville), UA Local 17 (Memphis), UA Local 102 (Knoxville). ~10% of plumbers in Tennessee are union (right-to-work state).
Union plumbers in Tennessee typically earn 25 to 40 percent more in total compensation (base wages plus health insurance, pension, and annuity) compared to non-union plumbers at the same experience level. See the full comparison at union vs non-union plumber pay.
Job Outlook in Tennessee
Tennessee's plumbing market is dominated by the Nashville growth story. Nashville has been one of the top-3 net-in-migration metros in the United States for several years, driving aggressive residential new-build and multi-family construction. Healthcare construction (HCA, Vanderbilt Health) and the corporate relocations to the Nashville metro (Oracle, AllianceBernstein, Mitsubishi Motors NA) add commercial demand. Tennessee has no state income tax, which materially improves take-home pay for self-employed plumbers compared to nominal-wage-similar states. Cost of living below the national average means even the modest median wage translates into reasonable purchasing power.
Biggest Employers in Tennessee
- +Layton Construction (Nashville office)
- +Hoar Construction
- +Brasfield & Gorrie (Nashville + Memphis)
- +Skanska USA Building (Nashville)
- +Turner Construction (Nashville)