BLS OEWS May 2025
Electrician Salary in Tennessee 2026
Updated 22 June 2026
$61,090/yr median · $29.37/hr
State Median
$61k
vs. National
$2k
Top 10%
$92k
COL-Adjusted
$68k
Electrician Salary Range in Tennessee
The full wage spread for electricians (occupation 47-2111) in Tennessee, from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%. All three figures are reported directly by the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (May 2025).
10th percentile
$40k
$39,600/yr
Lowest-paid 10%
Median (50th)
$61k
$61,090/yr
Typical electrician
90th percentile
$92k
$92,160/yr
Highest-paid 10%
An electrician in the bottom 10% of Tennessee earners makes about $39,600/yr, while the top 10% earn $92,160/yr or more — a range of $52,560. The 10th-percentile figure is a real BLS wage observation (it typically reflects apprentices and newly-licensed journeymen), distinct from the modelled apprentice-entry estimate shown in the experience table below.
Where Tennessee Ranks
Tennessee ranks #36 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $63,190 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Tennessee pays $2,100 below the national average.
Tennessee's cost-of-living index is 90 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $67,878/yr in national-average dollar terms. The below-average cost of living means electricians here retain more purchasing power than the nominal wage suggests.
Pay by Metro Area
Estimated median pay for the top 5 metropolitan areas in Tennessee, modelled from the state median and regional cost differentials (not BLS metro estimates).
| Metro Area | Median Annual | vs. State Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville Metro | $58,400 | -2.7k |
| Memphis | $52,800 | -8.3k |
| Knoxville | $50,800 | -10.3k |
| Chattanooga | $51,200 | -9.9k |
| Clarksville | $48,800 | -12.3k |
Pay by Experience Level
| Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $14 - $18/hr | $29,000 - $37,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4) | $20 - $26/hr | $42,000 - $54,000 |
| Journeyman (Employee) | $25 - $36/hr | $52,000 - $75,000 |
| Master Electrician (Employee) | $31 - $44/hr | $64,000 - $92,000 |
| Self-Employed Contractor | $70 - $135/hr billed | $65,000 - $175,000 net |
Tennessee Licensing Requirements
See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing
Union Presence in Tennessee
IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 429 (Nashville - state's largest), Local 474 (Memphis), Local 760 (Knoxville), Local 175 (Chattanooga)
Union share: approximately 9% of electricians in Tennessee are union.
Union electricians in Tennessee typically earn 20-35% more in total compensation than non-union electricians, when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.
Full IBEW wage scale breakdown and union vs non-union analysis
Job Outlook in Tennessee
Tennessee electricians have one of the strongest near-term demand profiles in the Southeast, driven by Ford's BlueOval City megasite (Stanton, ~50 miles east of Memphis) - a $5.6 billion EV truck assembly plant and adjacent SK On battery plants. Nashville's residential and commercial construction boom continues (Nashville is among the fastest-growing US large metros). Volkswagen Chattanooga expansion and the Knoxville Oak Ridge National Laboratory complex add to industrial demand.
Major Employers in Tennessee
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Tennessee?
What is the salary range for electricians in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee rank for electrician pay?
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Tennessee?
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Related Pages
State 10th-percentile, median, and 90th-percentile (top 10%) wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (47-2111). COL index: MERIC 2026. Metro, apprentice, and contractor figures are modelled estimates (not BLS). IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.