What this means Our calculation
Elevator installers are the best-paid trade in Tennessee at a statewide median of $100,490, and landscapers the lowest at $37,020. Prices vary inside the state: Nashville runs -4% vs. the U.S. average and Jackson -14%, so the same paycheck goes further in Jackson.
Highest-paying trades in Tennessee Government data
All 38 trades
Pay is the statewide BLS median for each trade (May 2025). State rank compares the 50 states and DC. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Employed | State rank | Metros |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator Installer | $100,490 | 700 | #26 | 1 |
| Electrical Lineworker | $83,660 | 3,900 | #38 | 10 |
| Construction Supervisor | $74,470 | 17,770 | #46 | 10 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $65,010 | 12,850 | #27 | 10 |
| Brickmason | $63,850 | 1,050 | #23 | 5 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $63,510 | 2,620 | #29 | 7 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $61,220 | 2,480 | #39 | 9 |
| Electrician | $61,090 | 17,070 | #37 | 10 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $60,090 | 570 | #7 | 4 |
| Building Inspector | $59,870 | 2,500 | #47 | 9 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,190 | 5,720 | #39 | 10 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $59,170 | 1,850 | #32 | 6 |
| Plumber | $58,600 | 9,270 | #41 | 10 |
| Ironworker | $56,750 | 1,240 | #39 | 4 |
| HVAC Technician | $55,490 | 9,740 | #45 | 9 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $52,000 | 10,660 | #39 | 10 |
| Carpenter | $50,830 | 8,200 | #38 | 10 |
| Auto Mechanic | $50,290 | 16,210 | #28 | 10 |
| Flooring Installer | $49,900 | 200 | #25 | 2 |
| Machinist | $49,600 | 8,270 | #50 | 10 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $49,580 | 690 | #25 | 6 |
| Glazier | $48,610 | 880 | #37 | 4 |
| Insulation Installer | $48,410 | 1,160 | #29 | 3 |
| Welder | $48,040 | 12,510 | #50 | 10 |
| Concrete Finisher | $47,910 | 3,920 | #43 | 8 |
| Drywall Installer | $47,510 | 1,150 | #38 | 5 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $47,460 | 3,970 | #48 | 9 |
| Maintenance Technician | $47,240 | 35,790 | #39 | 10 |
| Rigger | $47,180 | 310 | #39 | 2 |
| Roofer | $45,690 | 2,110 | #46 | 6 |
| Fence Installer | $45,330 | 550 | #31 | 4 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,000 | 26,250 | #37 | 10 |
| Tile Setter | $43,570 | 350 | #43 | 3 |
| Painter | $43,230 | 3,040 | #48 | 10 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $42,510 | 1,730 | #48 | 7 |
| Pest Control Technician | $39,690 | 3,340 | #39 | 8 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $39,480 | 550 | #46 | 4 |
| Landscaper | $37,020 | 18,250 | #41 | 10 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Compare Tennessee metros Government data
Living costs & job market
Real pay and rent are separate views; prices already include housing.
Licensing in Tennessee Official source
The main state licensing office in Tennessee is the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Tennessee licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 4.8% of wage and salary workers in Tennessee were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#42 of 51 states and D.C.), and 5.7% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
About the numbers
Statewide and metro wages come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Trades BLS doesn't publish for Tennessee are left out, not estimated. Prices: BEA 2024; rent: HUD FY2027; unemployment: BLS 2025. Full methodology.