Appliance Repair Technician in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Repair and maintenance

Tennessee employs 690 appliance repair technicians, with a statewide median of $49,580 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Appliance repair technicians Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for appliance repair technicians in major Tennessee markets:

What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee

Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $49,580 median stretches to roughly $53,950 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow appliance repair technicians employment +6.3%, faster than the +2.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

None required — manufacturer certifications and EPA 608 for refrigerants — regulated by the No Tennessee state license required for appliance repair technicians.

1. Tennessee does not require a state license for appliance repair. Entry through manufacturer training programs, vocational appliance repair courses, or on-the-job training with a service company.
2. EPA 608 certification is required federally if you work with refrigerants. Manufacturer-specific certifications (Samsung, LG, GE/Haier, Whirlpool/Maytag, Speed Queen) are valued by employers.
3. Apply to appliance service companies, home warranty contractors (Nashville and Memphis are large home warranty markets), or major appliance retailers. Independent repair operations in Tennessee's major metros can be profitable.

Official requirements: No Tennessee state license required for appliance repair technicians →

Training in Tennessee

Tennessee's large owner-occupied housing market and growing population support strong appliance repair demand. Home warranty companies dispatch significant volumes in Nashville and Memphis. Electrolux's Memphis manufacturing facility (washing machines) and other appliance manufacturing in Tennessee provide some factory service training pipelines.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

• Chattanooga State Community College — Certificate
• Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga — Certificate
• Southwest Tennessee Community College — Associate
• TCAT Athens — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like fixing things, want a shorter training path, and are interested in eventual self-employment.

Think twice if: Driving to many in-home appointments, lifting heavy appliances, and modest entry wages sound like a poor fit.

Why it's resilient: In-home appliance repair requires physical access, diagnostic judgment, and local customer trust that cannot be done remotely.

First Steps

Look for appliance repair certificate programs or entry-level helper positions at appliance service companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9031. Licensing summary compiled from the No Tennessee state license required for appliance repair technicians (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Tennessee wages · Tennessee licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.