Boilermaker in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Tennessee employs 180 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $51,810 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)
- Tennessee median pay
- $51,810 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $47,130
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $105,370
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $110,660
- Employed in Tennessee
- 180
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for boilermakers in major Tennessee markets:
- Knoxville
- $51,430 (50 employed)
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 $51,810 median stretches to roughly $56,376 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)
Tennessee is projected to grow boilermakers employment +4.7%, faster than the -2.9% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Tennessee License and Certification Requirements
None required — IBB journeyman credential + ASME welding qualifications — regulated by the No Tennessee state individual boilermaker license required.
- Tennessee does not require a state license for individual boilermakers. The standard path is an IBB (International Brotherhood of Boilermakers) Local Joint Apprenticeship: 4 years, approximately 6,000+ OJT hours covering boiler erection, pressure vessel maintenance, and welding.
- Complete apprenticeship training in rigging, welding (structural and pressure vessel), heat exchanger work, and OSHA safety. ASME Section IX pressure vessel welding qualifications are earned on the job.
- Contact IBB Local 455 (Nashville) or boilermakers.org for apprenticeship information. TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) power plants, chemical plants in the Memphis area, paper mills, and auto manufacturers are major employers.
Official requirements: No Tennessee state individual boilermaker license required →
Training in Tennessee
TVA's large hydroelectric and fossil fuel power plant network in Tennessee creates consistent boilermaker demand for maintenance outages and unit overhauls. Eastman Chemical (Kingsport) and other industrial facilities in East Tennessee also employ boilermakers. Work is project-based with periodic shutdown outages driving hiring cycles.
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want strong union wages and are comfortable with industrial environments, heights, and confined spaces.
Think twice if: Extreme heat, industrial noise, physical intensity, and travel to job sites sound unappealing.
Why it's resilient: Boilermakers install and maintain pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers in industrial settings — licensed work that requires physical presence and specialized expertise.
First Steps
Contact the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) for apprenticeship openings in your region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do boilermakers make in Tennessee?
The median wage for boilermakers in Tennessee is $51,810 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,130, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $110,660. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Tennessee?
None required — IBB journeyman credential + ASME welding qualifications, overseen by the No Tennessee state individual boilermaker license required. Tennessee does not require a state license for individual boilermakers. The standard path is an IBB (International Brotherhood of Boilermakers) Local Joint Apprenticeship: 4 years, approximately 6,000+ OJT hours covering boiler erection, pressure vessel maintenance, and welding.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Tennessee?
Boilermakers install and maintain pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers in industrial settings — licensed work that requires physical presence and specialized expertise.
Which Tennessee metros pay boilermakers the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Knoxville leads at $51,430. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Is Boilermaker a growing career in Tennessee?
Tennessee projects boilermakers employment to change +4.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
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 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Tennessee state individual boilermaker license required (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.