Plumber Salary in Shelbyville, TN: $57,603 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Shelbyville, TN earns a median $57,603/year (≈ $27.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Shelbyville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $62,748 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected to reach a median annual salary of $57,603 in 2026, plumbers in Shelbyville, TN, find themselves in a market where union pipefitters typically earn significantly more than their non-union counterparts. The salary range is quite broad, spanning from $41,962 at the lower end (P10) to $89,285 at the top (P90). These figures draw from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, which have been adjusted for local economic conditions. While this figure reflects a robust opportunity, it’s essential to understand that the plumber pay in Shelbyville is considerably below the national median of $65,408, indicating a localized pay structure that favors unionized positions. As such, those considering a career in plumbing here may want to weigh the advantages of union membership, given the stark differences in compensation associated with specialization and licensing.
About the Shelbyville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,962 | $20.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,972 | $22.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,603 | $27.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,731 | $35.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,285 | $42.93 |
Median Salary Position
11.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shelbyville
In Shelbyville, TN, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,323 (2026 est.). At $57,603, the local median is 11.93% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shelbyville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shelbyville Plumber Pay Compares
Shelbyville median: $57,603/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shelbyville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $60,191 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -11.93% less |
Plumbers in Shelbyville, TN earn a median of $57,603 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.93% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 4.30% below the Tennessee state average of $60,191.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shelbyville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shelbyville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $57,603 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,748 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,578
2025 BLS Actual
$56,187
2026 Current Est.
$57,603
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Shelbyville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,578 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,608 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,735 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,205 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,446 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,187 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,603 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,055 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shelbyville metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $48,578 (2019) to $56,187 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,055 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,477 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shelbyville 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) | $41,962 – $45,972 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,972 – $57,603 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,603 – $73,731 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,731 – $89,285 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Shelbyville
With only four plumbers currently employed in Shelbyville, the job market for this profession is relatively small, which could impact opportunities for newcomers and the stability of wages. The cost-of-living index of 91.8 suggests that living expenses are below the national average, allowing for comparatively better purchasing power despite lower average salaries. Employers such as union plumbing contractors pay the highest wages, compared to non-union residential and light commercial companies, which tend to offer lower compensation. Additionally, plumbers specializing in areas like medical gas installation or possessing advanced licenses may find better earning potential. Strategies for maximizing pay include obtaining specialized certifications, pursuing union membership, and gaining experience in high-demand areas such as industrial maintenance or service plumbing. In a market like Shelbyville, these tactics could greatly enhance a plumber's financial trajectory.
More salary data for Shelbyville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can plumbers make $100K in Shelbyville?
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Related Pages
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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 $56,187 for plumbersin the Shelbyville 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
Salary data for Shelbyville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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