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Electrician Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

Electrician pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $61,090/yr — 3% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #37 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Electrician.

Median salary
$61,090/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$48,380 – $76,060
National median
$63,190/yr
Employed in Tennessee
17,070

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Tennessee

Salary alone can mislead — Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
91.9
Nominal median
$61,090
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $66,474
State income tax
None

Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #34 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #37 on raw salary.

Tennessee levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do electrician professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $61,090 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $48,380 and $76,060. That's 3% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for electrician?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #37 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $66,474. Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #34 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #37 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are electrician professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 17,070 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +9.5% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Electrician nationally — Tennessee pay is 3% below the national median. See the full Electrician career guide →

The verdict

Yes — electricians combine debt-free apprenticeship entry with faster-than-average growth, boosted by the electrification and data-center boom. A strong pick unless you want office work or can't meet the physical/safety demands.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Faster-than-average projected growth
  • Paid apprenticeship — earn while you learn, no debt
  • Riding the electrification / data-center / solar boom
  • Strong self-employment potential
  • Skilled, code-driven work that resists automation

Cons

  • Real safety risks (shock, falls)
  • Physically demanding, variable job sites
  • Multi-year apprenticeship before full licensure
  • Some travel and irregular hours

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Technically-minded, hands-on people
  • Those wanting a debt-free path into a growing trade
  • Anyone eyeing self-employment

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who want office or remote work
  • Those uncomfortable with heights or electrical risk

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Electrician is worth it — titles link to the original threads.