Tennessee Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Tennessee Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Tennessee
Tennessee’s trade economy benefits from being a crossroads state. Warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing facilities drive ongoing maintenance needs, while fast-growing metro areas add steady commercial service and construction work.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Tennessee (from this table): Lineworker ($80,895)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $53,529 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $34,199 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Tennessee.
- Most stable demand in Tennessee: facility operations and equipment maintenance supporting distribution centers and production sites.
- Best way to increase earnings: add plant-relevant certs and move into reliability or systems-focused maintenance roles.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($80,895) · CDL Truck Driver ($67,954) · AV Technician ($63,043)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Tennessee
Demand is shaped most by logistics and manufacturing concentration along the Nashville–Murfreesboro–Memphis corridor, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
Tennessee wages are influenced by logistics growth, with facilities and commercial service roles offering clearer pay progression.
- Outlook: Strong (logistics corridor)
- What drives demand: logistics and manufacturing concentration along the Nashville–Murfreesboro–Memphis corridor.
- Where it’s hottest: major metros + fast-growing corridors (varies by trade).
- Biggest pay factors: experience, union coverage, licensing, overtime, and employer type.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in Tennessee
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Tennessee. Click a trade name to explore training paths, licensing steps, and career details.
Note: Some trades can rank high across many states due to national labor demand and standardized pay structures, but the exact pay levels still vary by state and metro area.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $24.34 | $974 | $4,220 | $50,602 |
| AV Technician | $30.29 | $1,212 | $5,254 | $63,043 |
| Carpenter | $23.74 | $949 | $4,112 | $49,339 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $32.67 | $1,307 | $5,663 | $67,954 |
| CNC Machinist | $22.46 | $898 | $3,891 | $46,696 |
| Construction | $23.84 | $953 | $4,132 | $49,587 |
| Concrete Finisher | $26.12 | $1,045 | $4,528 | $54,330 |
| Diesel Technician | $27.16 | $1,086 | $4,708 | $56,493 |
| Electrician | $28.79 | $1,152 | $4,990 | $59,879 |
| Heavy Equipment | $23.52 | $910 | $3,937 | $47,240 |
| HVAC Technician | $26.40 | $1,059 | $4,588 | $55,058 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $26.09 | $1,044 | $4,522 | $54,268 |
| Ironworker | $24.85 | $992 | $4,300 | $51,598 |
| Lineworker | $38.89 | $1,556 | $6,741 | $80,895 |
| Marine Mechanic | $27.01 | $1,081 | $4,680 | $56,111 |
| Mason | $25.38 | $1,015 | $4,399 | $52,790 |
| Plumber | $30.58 | $1,177 | $5,102 | $61,214 |
| Roofer | $23.02 | $921 | $3,990 | $47,882 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $24.35 | $929 | $4,019 | $48,227 |
| Welder | $23.20 | $924 | $4,005 | $48,058 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
About this table: wage data sources and methodology.
Why Tennessee Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
Tennessee’s trade demand is powered by large-scale manufacturing, logistics and distribution, utilities, and rapid population growth across multiple metro areas. Automotive assembly plants, supplier networks, data centers, and expanding residential development create consistent need for electricians, industrial maintenance technicians, HVAC professionals, plumbers, welders, and construction trades.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- Nashville metro: Commercial construction, healthcare facilities, data centers, and residential expansion drive electrical, HVAC, and plumbing demand.
- Memphis: Logistics, warehousing, utilities, and industrial maintenance tied to transportation and distribution networks.
- Chattanooga: Manufacturing, power generation, and advanced industry support skilled mechanical and electrical trades.
- Statewide manufacturing corridors: Automotive plants and suppliers create steady demand for industrial electricians and maintenance technicians.
Major Employers and Contractors in Tennessee
Tradespeople in Tennessee frequently work with major manufacturers, utilities, and regional contractors, including:
- Nissan North America (Smyrna) — Automotive manufacturing and industrial maintenance roles.
- Volkswagen Chattanooga — Production facilities requiring skilled electrical and mechanical trades.
- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) — Power generation and utility infrastructure supporting electrical and mechanical work.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in Tennessee
Tennessee is a right-to-work state with a predominantly non-union trade workforce. Most skilled tradespeople enter through technical colleges, employer-sponsored training, or direct hiring. Union opportunities exist, particularly in utilities, electrical work, and large commercial projects, but represent a smaller portion of the overall market.
Union Apprenticeships in Tennessee
Union pathways are concentrated in specific trades and metro areas, often tied to utilities or large-scale projects:
- IBEW Local 429 — Electrical apprenticeships serving the Nashville area.
- IBEW Local 474 — Electrical training covering Memphis and western Tennessee.
- IBEW Local 175 — Electrical apprenticeships supporting Chattanooga and surrounding regions.
- UA Local 572 — Plumbing and pipefitting apprenticeships based in Nashville.
Ready to start a trade career in Tennessee?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across Tennessee.
Tennessee Trade Schools & Apprenticeships