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Electrician in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Tennessee employs 17,070 electricians, with a statewide median of $61,090 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Electricians Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay: $61,090 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $39,600
Experienced (75th percentile): $76,060
Top earners (90th percentile): $92,160
Employed in Tennessee: 17,070
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,350 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Tennessee markets:

Chattanooga: $72,330 (1,760 employed)
Nashville: $63,340 (6,220 employed)
Memphis: $60,890 (2,770 employed)
Clarksville: $58,670 (500 employed)
Knoxville: $58,640 (2,170 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 $61,090 median stretches to roughly $66,474 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow electricians employment +22.0%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 2,320 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) or local jurisdiction journeyman license — regulated by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors — Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) / local jurisdictions.

Tennessee has no universal statewide journeyman electrician license. In municipalities where the Division of Fire Prevention handles permits and inspections, electricians performing work under $25,000 must obtain a Tennessee LLE (Limited Licensed Electrician) license: pass the LLE trade exam and submit the application and $50 biennial fee.
In Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, local journeyman electrician licenses are required — check with the local jurisdiction's electrical inspection authority for exam and experience requirements (typically 8,000 OJT hours).
IBEW Local 429 (Nashville), Local 474 (Memphis), Local 760 (Knoxville), and Local 175 (Chattanooga) run apprenticeship programs and are the primary pipeline to journeyman status.

Official requirements: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors — Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) / local jurisdictions →

Training in Tennessee

Nashville's construction boom — one of the hottest in the Southeast — drives strong electrician demand. Tennessee's moderate regulatory environment makes entry easier, but IBEW apprenticeship still provides the best wages and career trajectory. Most major commercial contractors require documented journeyman-level experience even where a state card isn't strictly required.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

Chattanooga State Community College — Certificate
Nashville State Community College — Certificate
Northeast State Community College — Certificate
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Crump — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.

Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.

Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.

First Steps

Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Tennessee?

The median wage for electricians in Tennessee is $61,090 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,600, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $92,160. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Tennessee?

Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) or local jurisdiction journeyman license, overseen by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors — Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) / local jurisdictions. Tennessee has no universal statewide journeyman electrician license. In municipalities where the Division of Fire Prevention handles permits and inspections, electricians performing work under $25,000 must obtain a Tennessee LLE (Limited Licensed Electrician) license: pass the LLE trade exam and submit the application and $50 biennial fee.

Is being an Electrician a good career in Tennessee?

Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.

Which Tennessee metros pay electricians the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Chattanooga leads at $72,330, followed by Nashville ($63,340), Memphis ($60,890). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Electrician in Tennessee?

Real Tennessee options include Chattanooga State Community College, Nashville State Community College, Northeast State Community College. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Electrician a growing career in Tennessee?

Tennessee projects electricians employment to change +22.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,320 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 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors — Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) / local jurisdictions (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.