Welder Salary in Tennessee: $51,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $51,024/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $55,582 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kingsport ($55,690), Clarksville ($52,970), Nashville ($49,460).
In Tennessee, the average median salary for welders in 2026 is projected at $51,024, which is lower than the national median of $55,895, marking a difference of 8.7%. The highest-paying city for welders in the state is Kingsport, where salaries are expected to reach $57,912, while Tullahoma offers the lowest at $46,426—a gap of $11,486. This disparity can be attributed to varying demand levels, local industry presence, and cost of living differences across these cities. Tennessee's welding industry is influenced by several factors, including state licensing requirements, which ensure that welders meet specific skills and safety standards. The scope of practice laws dictate what duties welders can perform, influencing job availability. Additionally, demand for welders is driven by the ongoing growth in construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects, all contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 3.99% in the welding job market. With a total employment figure of 10,022 welders, the job outlook in Tennessee remains strong. Cities such as Clarksville ($55,084), Nashville ($51,433), Chattanooga ($51,184), and Franklin ($50,815) reflect diverse opportunities for welders, though there remains a considerable range based on individual city economies and job market conditions.
Tennessee Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $34,816 (lowest entry-level) to $73,883 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee welders earn 8.71% less than the national median ($-4,871/year difference).
Tennessee Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Tennessee range from $40,142 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $69,075 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $51,024. The Tennessee median is $4,871 below the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $24.53/hr. Approximately 10,022 welders are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,157
2025 BLS Actual
$49,066
2026 Current Est.
$51,024
2019–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,157 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,962 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,652 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,949 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,687 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,552 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,066 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,059 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 16.4% from $42,157 (2019) to $49,066 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,059 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,902 (25.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tullahoma | $46,426 |
| Jackson | $47,274 |
| Sevierville | $47,439 |
| Maryville | $47,713 |
| Cookeville | $47,744 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport | $57,912 | 86.447 | $66,991 |
| Clarksville | $55,084 | 90.947 | $60,567 |
| Morristown | $48,948 | 86.364 | $56,676 |
| Chattanooga | $51,184 | 91.464 | $55,961 |
| Franklin | $50,815 | 91.8 | $55,354 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,142 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $51,024 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $69,075 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingsport | $57,912 |
| 2 | Clarksville | $55,084 |
| 3 | Nashville | $51,433 |
| 4 | Chattanooga | $51,184 |
| 5 | Franklin | $50,815 |
| 6 | Smyrna | $50,790 |
| 7 | Memphis | $50,539 |
| 8 | Bartlett | $50,535 |
| 9 | Murfreesboro | $50,523 |
| 10 | Collierville | $50,360 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $49,974 |
| 12 | Knoxville | $49,957 |
| 13 | Lebanon | $49,304 |
| 14 | Oak Ridge | $49,300 |
| 15 | Columbia | $48,969 |
| 16 | Morristown | $48,948 |
| 17 | Germantown | $48,906 |
| 18 | Hendersonville | $48,809 |
| 19 | Gallatin | $48,723 |
| 20 | Cleveland | $48,532 |
| 21 | Brentwood | $48,470 |
| 22 | Shelbyville | $48,092 |
| 23 | Mount Juliet | $48,091 |
| 24 | La Vergne | $47,990 |
| 25 | Johnson City | $47,908 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $47,744 |
| 27 | Maryville | $47,713 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $47,439 |
| 29 | Jackson | $47,274 |
| 30 | Tullahoma | $46,426 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Compare Cities in Tennessee
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Tennessee?
How many welders are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for welders?
Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder
Career Analyst
James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov