Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship in Tennessee

Plumber & Pipefitters in Tennessee earn $57,730/yr at the median — 20% above the $48,060 national average across all occupations. A solid middle-class income that typically comes without student debt.

At $57,730 per year, Tennessee pays 8% less than the national Plumber & Pipefitter median. The gap isn't dramatic but worth factoring into an apprenticeship decision.

Looking ahead to 2034, Plumber & Pipefitter employment should expand by 4.5%. That translates to roughly 44,000 openings annually when you factor in retirements — enough to absorb most apprenticeship completers.

With 8,810 Plumber & Pipefitters employed (1.8% of the U.S. total), Tennessee is a smaller market for this trade. Apprenticeship seekers may find limited local options and should explore neighboring states.

The Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship path spans 4 years in a time-based format. During those 8,000 hours, apprentices rotate between jobsite work under a journeyman and formal instruction in mechanical systems, refrigerant handling, and equipment diagnostics.

Tennessee's 802 registered apprenticeship sponsors create one of the more competitive markets for program placement. Candidates should apply to multiple programs, as the most popular ones fill quickly.

The 10th-to-90th percentile gap for Plumber & Pipefitters in Tennessee ($38,080 to $81,570) covers $43,490. Moving up that curve comes from years on the job, foreman promotions, and contractor relationships.