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Plumbing Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

Plumbing pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $58,600/yr — 8% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #41 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Plumbing.

Median salary
$58,600/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$47,260 – $73,460
National median
$63,800/yr
Employed in Tennessee
9,270

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
$58,600
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $63,765
State income tax
None

Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #35 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #41 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 plumbing professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $58,600 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $47,260 and $73,460. That's 8% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for plumbing?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #41 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 $63,765. Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #35 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #41 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are plumbing professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 9,270 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +4.5% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Plumbing nationally — Tennessee pay is 8% below the national median. See the full Plumbing career guide →

The verdict

Yes — plumbing offers a paid apprenticeship path, no student debt, and strong recession-resistant demand, with real upside if you start your own business. Not ideal if you want clean, sedentary work.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Paid apprenticeship — little to no debt
  • Recession-resistant, essential demand
  • Strong self-employment / business upside
  • Can't be offshored or fully automated
  • Licensed plumbers command good hourly rates

Cons

  • Physically demanding; awkward, dirty conditions
  • On-call and emergency work is common
  • Licensing requirements vary by state
  • Wear and tear on the body over a career

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Hands-on problem-solvers
  • Aspiring small-business owners
  • Those who want debt-free entry into a stable trade

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who want clean, sedentary work
  • Those unwilling to be on-call

What people are actually asking

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