Plumber Salary in Tennessee: $60,362 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $60,362/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,754 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($60,100), Knoxville ($59,860), Franklin ($59,376).
The projected average median salary for plumbers in Tennessee in 2026 is $60,362, which is approximately 7.7% lower than the national median of $65,408. Nashville leads the state with the highest salary at $61,615, while Johnson City offers the lowest at $49,702, creating a notable salary gap of $11,913. This difference can be attributed to factors such as local demand for plumbing services, cost of living variations, and the concentration of job opportunities in urban versus rural areas. Tennessee has specific licensing requirements for plumbers, including the need for various levels of licensure depending on the scope of practice. These regulations can influence salary potential as licensed professionals are often compensated more favorably. The market for plumbing services in Tennessee is driven by ongoing construction, maintenance demands, and infrastructure upgrades, contributing to a steady annual growth rate of 2.52% based on projections. As of 2026, there are approximately 8,632 plumbers employed in the state, with top cities showing salaries close to or exceeding the state average. Cities such as Knoxville ($61,368), Franklin ($60,872), Kingsport ($60,856), and Smyrna ($60,833) follow Nashville closely in terms of earnings, reflecting the significant demand for skilled plumbing professionals in these growing regions.
Tennessee Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $36,928 (lowest entry-level) to $113,449 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee plumbers earn 7.71% less than the national median ($-5,046/year difference).
Tennessee Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Tennessee range from $40,503 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $84,210 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,362. The Tennessee median is $5,046 below the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $29.02/hr. Approximately 8,632 plumbers are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,166
2025 BLS Actual
$58,878
2026 Current Est.
$60,362
2019–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,166 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,694 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,053 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,862 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,077 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,869 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,878 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,362 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,883 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 19.8% from $49,166 (2019) to $58,878 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,883 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,717 (25.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnson City | $49,702 |
| Jackson | $53,946 |
| Morristown | $55,135 |
| Tullahoma | $55,607 |
| Cleveland | $56,519 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport | $60,856 | 86.447 | $70,397 |
| Clarksville | $60,415 | 90.947 | $66,429 |
| Franklin | $60,872 | 91.8 | $66,309 |
| Knoxville | $61,368 | 92.569 | $66,294 |
| Smyrna | $60,833 | 91.8 | $66,267 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,503 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,362 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $84,210 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $61,615 |
| 2 | Knoxville | $61,368 |
| 3 | Franklin | $60,872 |
| 4 | Kingsport | $60,856 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $60,833 |
| 6 | Bartlett | $60,529 |
| 7 | Murfreesboro | $60,523 |
| 8 | Clarksville | $60,415 |
| 9 | Collierville | $60,319 |
| 10 | Chattanooga | $60,200 |
| 11 | Memphis | $60,169 |
| 12 | Spring Hill | $59,856 |
| 13 | Lebanon | $59,054 |
| 14 | Oak Ridge | $59,049 |
| 15 | Columbia | $58,652 |
| 16 | Germantown | $58,577 |
| 17 | Hendersonville | $58,460 |
| 18 | Gallatin | $58,357 |
| 19 | Brentwood | $58,054 |
| 20 | Shelbyville | $57,603 |
| 21 | Mount Juliet | $57,601 |
| 22 | La Vergne | $57,480 |
| 23 | Cookeville | $57,186 |
| 24 | Maryville | $57,148 |
| 25 | Sevierville | $56,820 |
| 26 | Cleveland | $56,519 |
| 27 | Tullahoma | $55,607 |
| 28 | Morristown | $55,135 |
| 29 | Jackson | $53,946 |
| 30 | Johnson City | $49,702 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee plumber pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level plumber salary in Tennessee?
How many plumbers are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for plumbers?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 plumber compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov