SOC 47-3015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — Tennessee
Tennessee · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $44,550 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $42,360.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $44,550 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $42,360. Half of workers earn between $38,640 and $47,350. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,620 and the ninetieth at $49,720.
The area has 1,100 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.17 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 48 states with published data for this occupation, Tennessee ranks 16th by median wage. Nashville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $46,990. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 527th of 730 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,620 | −18.3% |
| 25th | $38,640 | −8.8% |
| Median (50th) | $44,550 | +5.2% |
| 75th | $47,350 | +11.8% |
| 90th | $49,720 | +17.4% |
| Mean | $42,940 | +1.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Tennessee
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $44,550 goes as far as $48,477 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,550as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,477US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,550 a year, 5.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,620 to $49,720 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,100 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 16th of 48 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $46,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Tennessee?
The median annual wage is $44,550, or $21.42 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $42,360, so pay in Tennessee is 5.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Tennessee earns more than $49,720 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,620 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Nashville, at $46,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,100 jobs in this occupation in Tennessee. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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