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

Skilled trades

Tennessee employs 12,510 welders, with a statewide median of $48,040 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay: $48,040 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $37,840
Experienced (75th percentile): $57,450
Top earners (90th percentile): $64,200
Employed in Tennessee: 12,510
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Clarksville: $52,970 (490 employed)
Nashville: $49,460 (2,590 employed)
Chattanooga: $49,220 (1,850 employed)
Memphis: $48,600 (1,590 employed)
Knoxville: $48,040 (1,780 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 $48,040 median stretches to roughly $52,274 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow welders employment +10.4%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,570 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

None required — AWS CW certifications and employer/project weld qualifications — regulated by the No Tennessee state license required for welders.

Tennessee does not require a state license for welders. The entry path is completing a welding technology program at a TCAT campus (most have welding programs), community college, or employer apprenticeship.
Pass employer and project weld tests (AWS D1.1 structural, ASME for pressure vessels, API for process piping). AWS Certified Welder (CW) is the portable individual credential.
Apply to automotive manufacturers (Nissan, GM, VW, Ford BlueOval), structural steel fabricators, pipeline contractors, Eastman Chemical and other industrial facilities, and manufacturing operations statewide.

Official requirements: No Tennessee state license required for welders →

Training in Tennessee

Tennessee's large automotive and manufacturing base creates strong welder demand across the state. Structural welding for automotive plant construction, maintenance welding at TVA and chemical facilities, and pipeline welding in West Tennessee are the main segments. Pipe welding qualifications command significant wage premiums.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

Chattanooga State Community College — Certificate
Cleveland State Community College — Certificate
Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga — Certificate
Nashville Auto-Diesel College — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like focused, precise, independent work and want to enter a trade without a multi-year apprenticeship commitment.

Think twice if: Heat, fumes, UV exposure, protective gear all day, and physically demanding positions sound like dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

First Steps

Enroll in a welding certificate program at a community college or trade school — programs range from 6 months to 2 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do welders make in Tennessee?

The median wage for welders in Tennessee is $48,040 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,840, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $64,200. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

None required — AWS CW certifications and employer/project weld qualifications, overseen by the No Tennessee state license required for welders. Tennessee does not require a state license for welders. The entry path is completing a welding technology program at a TCAT campus (most have welding programs), community college, or employer apprenticeship.

Is being a Welder a good career in Tennessee?

Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

Which Tennessee metros pay welders the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Clarksville leads at $52,970, followed by Nashville ($49,460), Chattanooga ($49,220). 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 Welder in Tennessee?

Real Tennessee options include Chattanooga State Community College, Cleveland State Community College, Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Tennessee?

Tennessee projects welders employment to change +10.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,570 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 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No Tennessee state license required for welders (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.