Pipefitter Career Guide in Tennessee
Explore pipefitter salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Tennessee.
Career Guide Navigation
How to Become a Pipefitter in Tennessee
Most Tennessee pipefitters train through a paid union or employer-sponsored apprenticeship covering pipe layout, welding, mechanical systems, rigging, drawings, code, and jobsite safety. Local licensing requirements must be checked before regulated plumbing work begins.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Pipefitter Salary in Tennessee
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Tennessee median wage for pipefitter workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $62,970, the median wage in Tennessee is approximately $4,370 lower. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Pipefitters in Tennessee
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONPipefitter Training Requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee pipefitters generally learn through a paid registered apprenticeship or structured employer training program. Individual licensing is primarily determined at the local level, while state contractor licensing may apply to larger projects.
- Complete classroom and supervised jobsite training in pipe layout, fitting, welding, rigging, testing, and safety.
- Meet the apprenticeship sponsor’s education, aptitude, physical, transportation, and employment requirements.
- Check the applicable city or county for journeyman, registration, examination, and permit requirements.
- Businesses contracting regulated plumbing or mechanical work must verify the appropriate Tennessee contractor classification and monetary limit.
Pipefitter Training Providers in Tennessee
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville | Knoxville | View Program |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis | Memphis | View Program |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Murfreesboro | Murfreesboro | View Program |
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESPipefitter Apprenticeship Programs in Tennessee
Pipefitter Licensing Requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee does not issue a statewide individual pipefitter or journeyman-plumber license. A state contractor license with the applicable mechanical or plumbing classification is generally required when the total project is $25,000 or more. Cities and counties may impose individual plumber licensing, registration, examination, and permit requirements.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSPipefitter Job Outlook in Tennessee
Tennessee’s 2022–2032 long-term projections indicate strong demand for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, with approximately 13% employment growth and about 1,000 annual openings from growth and replacement.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the pipefitter salary in Tennessee?
The statewide median wage for pipefitters in Tennessee is approximately $58,600 per year, or $28.17 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Tennessee require pipefitter licensing?
Tennessee does not use one uniform statewide licensing rule for all pipefitter work. Local requirements may apply, and applicants should verify the rules in the city or county where they plan to work.
How long does it take to become a pipefitter in Tennessee?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A typical training pathway takes approximately 4–5 Years Apprenticeship, although licensing, apprenticeship, and employer requirements may differ.
Are pipefitters in demand in Tennessee?
Tennessee projects pipefitter employment to grow by approximately 13% from 2022 to 2032, with about 1,000 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Tennessee Wages for Pipefitter (SOC 47-2152) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Tennessee Pipefitter Wages
- Tennessee Pipefitter Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Tennessee Pipefitter Employment Trends
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors — Licensing authority. Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors