Plumber Salary in Knoxville, TN: $61,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Knoxville, TN earns a median $61,368/year (≈ $29.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $66,294 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Knoxville, TN, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,368. This reflects a competitive market where compensation spans from $39,921 at the 10th percentile to $81,565 at the 90th percentile. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates how local rates are impacted by the industry dynamics at play, particularly the pay gap between union pipefitters and non-union service plumbers. While the overall compensation for plumbers in Knoxville falls about 6.18% below the national median of $65,408, the city is characterized by a diverse array of employment opportunities, which cater to different skills and specialties within the plumbing profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,921 | $19.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,379 | $23.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,368 | $29.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,321 | $36.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,565 | $39.21 |
Median Salary Position
6.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,644 (2026 est.). At $61,368, the local median is 6.18% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be above the median
How Knoxville Plumber Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $61,368/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $60,165 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -6.18% less |
Plumbers in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $61,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.18% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 2.00% above the Tennessee state average of $60,165.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $61,368 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,294 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,610
2025 BLS Actual
$59,860
2026 Current Est.
$61,368
2019–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,915 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 34.2% from $44,610 (2019) to $59,860 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,305 (41.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,921 – $48,379 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,379 – $61,368 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,368 – $75,321 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,321 – $81,565 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Knoxville
The local job market for plumbers remains robust, with approximately 1,700 individuals employed in the area. The competitive cost of living index in Knoxville, at 92.569, offers plumbers an advantage in terms of take-home purchasing power. When examining pay scales, union plumbing contractors often provide the most lucrative positions, offering significantly higher wages compared to non-union and self-employed counterparts. Specialties like medical gas or industrial pipefitting command premium rates, while larger service companies such as Roto-Rooter and ARS offer commission structures that can yield variable earnings based on performance. With a growth rate of 2.52% projected over the next five years, plumbers can maximize their earnings by obtaining advanced credentials, such as master or contractor licenses, and embracing specialties that cater to the evolving demands of infrastructure alongside the aged workforce dynamic in Knoxville.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,860 for plumbersin the Knoxville metropolitan area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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