Plumber Salary

Hendersonville vs Knoxville: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Hendersonville, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hendersonville, TN
$58,460
$28.10/hr
Knoxville, TN
$61,368
$29.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHendersonville, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$58,460$61,368
Hourly Rate$28.10$29.51
Entry Level (P10)$41,244$39,921
25th Percentile$44,864$48,379
75th Percentile$74,828$75,321
Top Earner (P90)$90,613$81,565
Total Employed131,700
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hendersonville ($58,460) and Knoxville ($61,368) plumber salaries.HendersonvilleKnoxvilleMedian Salary$58,460$61,368Entry Level (P10)$41,244$39,921Top Earner (P90)$90,613$81,565US Median $65,408

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hendersonville.

The salary gap between Hendersonville and Knoxville is $2,908 (4.97%). Knoxville's median is -6.18% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hendersonville spans $49,369,Knoxville spans $41,644. Hendersonville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hendersonville
P10 (Entry)$41,244
P25$44,864
Median$58,460
P75$74,828
P90 (Top)$90,613
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$39,921
P25$48,379
Median$61,368
P75$75,321
P90 (Top)$81,565

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($66,294 effective) pays 4.10% more than Hendersonville ($63,682 effective).

Hendersonville
Nominal: $58,460
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $63,682
Knoxville
Nominal: $61,368
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $66,294

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hendersonville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($90,613)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,368/year)
  • Larger job market (1,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,294)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Hendersonville grew 18.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.2% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Hendersonville, TN

+18.4%

$48,152 (2024) → $57,023 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+34.2%

$44,610 (2019) → $59,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Hendersonville or Knoxville?

Knoxville has a higher median plumber salary at $61,368/year, compared to Hendersonville at $58,460/year — a difference of $2,908 (4.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hendersonville and Knoxville?

Hendersonville plumbers earn $28.10/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $29.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hendersonville to Knoxville as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hendersonville and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hendersonville = $63,682, Knoxville = $66,294), job availability (13 vs 1,700 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Hendersonville vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $41,244 in Hendersonville and $39,921 in Knoxville. The Hendersonville area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov