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

Skilled trades

Tennessee employs 9,270 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $58,600 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay: $58,600 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,520
Experienced (75th percentile): $73,460
Top earners (90th percentile): $82,020
Employed in Tennessee: 9,270
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Nashville: $60,100 (2,760 employed)
Knoxville: $59,860 (1,700 employed)
Clarksville: $58,930 (280 employed)
Chattanooga: $58,720 (860 employed)
Memphis: $58,690 (1,920 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 $58,600 median stretches to roughly $63,765 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow pipefitters employment +17.0%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,100 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

UA Journeyman Pipefitter credential (no state license required) — regulated by the No Tennessee state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential).

Tennessee does not require an individual pipefitter state license. The standard path is a UA (United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters) apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering industrial piping systems, rigging, welding, and process systems.
Complete UA apprenticeship training in pipe fabrication, steam systems, process piping (ASME B31.3), and OSHA 30 safety. AWS welding qualifications are earned during apprenticeship.
Apply through UA Local 572 (Nashville), UA Local 614 (Memphis), or UA Local 538 (Knoxville) for apprenticeship applications. Power plants, chemical plants, automotive manufacturing, and data centers are major employers.

Official requirements: No Tennessee state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential) →

Training in Tennessee

TVA power plants, Eastman Chemical's Kingsport complex, automotive manufacturer utilities, and Nashville's growing data center market create consistent pipefitter demand. Local 572 in Nashville covers the high-growth Middle Tennessee market. Pipefitters in Tennessee are among the best-paid construction tradespeople.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton — Certificate
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson — Certificate
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville — Certificate
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want strong union wages and enjoy precision mechanical work in industrial or commercial settings.

Think twice if: Industrial job sites, confined spaces, and working with high-pressure systems sound dangerous rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.

First Steps

Contact UA (United Association) Local pipefitter apprenticeship programs in your area — separate from plumber apprenticeships.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do pipefitters make in Tennessee?

The median wage for pipefitters in Tennessee is $58,600 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,520, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $82,020. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Pipefitter in Tennessee?

UA Journeyman Pipefitter credential (no state license required), overseen by the No Tennessee state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential). Tennessee does not require an individual pipefitter state license. The standard path is a UA (United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters) apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering industrial piping systems, rigging, welding, and process systems.

Is being a Pipefitter a good career in Tennessee?

Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.

Which Tennessee metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville leads at $60,100, followed by Knoxville ($59,860), Clarksville ($58,930). 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 a Pipefitter in Tennessee?

Real Tennessee options include Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Tennessee?

Tennessee projects pipefitters employment to change +17.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,100 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 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No Tennessee state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential) (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.