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

Skilled trades

Tennessee employs 9,270 plumbers, 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 Plumbers 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 plumbers 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 plumbers 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

Journeyman Plumber license (state) or Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) for smaller projects — regulated by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors — Journeyman Plumber / Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP).

Tennessee requires plumbers to be licensed. The Journeyman Plumber license requires at least 3 years of plumbing trade experience and passing the state plumbing exam through the Board for Licensing Contractors.
The Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license is for plumbers performing work under $25,000 in municipalities where the Division of Fire Prevention handles inspections — requires 1 year of experience and passing the LLP exam.
Always check with your local jurisdiction first — Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga have their own licensing processes. UA Local 572 (Nashville) and UA Local 614 (Memphis) run plumber apprenticeship programs.

Official requirements: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors — Journeyman Plumber / Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) →

Training in Tennessee

Tennessee's plumbing license structure is more robust than its electrical system. Nashville's rapid residential and commercial construction drives strong plumber demand. Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) Nashville and Memphis offer plumbing programs. UA apprenticeships provide the strongest wage and career trajectory.

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 durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in Tennessee?

The median wage for plumbers 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 Plumber in Tennessee?

Journeyman Plumber license (state) or Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) for smaller projects, overseen by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors — Journeyman Plumber / Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP). Tennessee requires plumbers to be licensed. The Journeyman Plumber license requires at least 3 years of plumbing trade experience and passing the state plumbing exam through the Board for Licensing Contractors.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Tennessee?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which Tennessee metros pay plumbers 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 Plumber 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 plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Tennessee?

Tennessee projects plumbers 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 Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors — Journeyman Plumber / Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) (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.