Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Tennessee
26 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
Every trade in Tennessee, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $52.98 | $110,200 | $88.11 | 5,860 | 25th of 51 | +5.3% | 4% below |
| 2 | Elevator mechanic | $48.31 | $100,490 | $58.24 | 700 | 26th of 37 | +36.2% | 9% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $40.22 | $83,660 | $50.48 | 3,900 | 38th of 51 | -9.8% | 12% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $35.81 | $74,470 | $52.08 | 17,770 | 46th of 51 | +4.1% | 7% below |
| 5 | Brickmason | $30.70 | $63,850 | $36.36 | 1,050 | 23rd of 50 | +7.4% | 3% above |
| 6 | Millwright | $29.72 | $61,810 | $36.48 | 1,060 | 36th of 48 | -4.1% | 6% below |
| 7 | Electrician | $29.37 | $61,090 | $44.31 | 17,070 | 37th of 51 | -2.3% | 3% below |
| 8 | Crane operator | $28.56 | $59,410 | $40.43 | 660 | 44th of 50 | +2.9% | 13% below |
| 9 | Diesel mechanic | $28.46 | $59,190 | $38.74 | 5,720 | 39th of 51 | -0.1% | 4% below |
| 10 | Sheet metal worker | $28.45 | $59,170 | $38.15 | 1,850 | 32nd of 50 | +14.3% | 4% below |
| 11 | Plumber | $28.17 | $58,600 | $39.43 | 9,270 | 41st of 51 | -6.3% | 8% below |
| 12 | Ironworker | $27.29 | $56,750 | $35.91 | 1,240 | 39th of 50 | +2.6% | 10% below |
| 13 | HVAC technician | $26.68 | $55,490 | $39.23 | 9,740 | 45th of 51 | +2.9% | 9% below |
| 14 | Heavy equipment operator | $25.00 | $52,000 | $36.27 | 10,660 | 39th of 51 | +4.0% | 13% below |
| 15 | Boilermaker | $24.91 | $51,810 | $53.20 | 180 | 35th of 37 | -37.1% | 32% below |
| 16 | Carpenter | $24.44 | $50,830 | $31.95 | 8,200 | 38th of 51 | +4.2% | 16% below |
| 17 | Machinist | $23.85 | $49,600 | $33.86 | 8,270 | 50th of 51 | -4.2% | 16% below |
| 18 | Glazier | $23.37 | $48,610 | $30.35 | 880 | 37th of 50 | +10.3% | 15% below |
| 19 | Insulation worker | $23.28 | $48,410 | $34.37 | 1,160 | 29th of 48 | — | 1% below |
| 20 | Welder | $23.10 | $48,040 | $30.87 | 12,510 | 50th of 51 | -3.0% | 11% below |
| 21 | Cement mason | $23.04 | $47,910 | $29.06 | 3,920 | 43rd of 51 | +6.7% | 16% below |
| 22 | Drywall installer | $22.84 | $47,510 | $31.56 | 1,150 | 38th of 49 | +0.1% | 19% below |
| 23 | Roofer | $21.97 | $45,690 | $29.49 | 2,110 | 46th of 51 | +3.2% | 18% below |
| 24 | Construction laborer | $21.64 | $45,000 | $28.84 | 26,250 | 37th of 51 | +17.6% | 5% below |
| 25 | Tile setter | $20.95 | $43,570 | $28.44 | 350 | 43rd of 47 | -9.1% | 22% below |
| 26 | Painter | $20.78 | $43,230 | $29.34 | 3,040 | 48th of 51 | +3.6% | 13% below |
Most in-demand trades in Tennessee
By the Tennessee labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are electricians (+22.4%), HVAC technicians (+20.7%), roofers (+20.5%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (3,780 a year), electricians (2,330 a year), construction supervisors (1,720 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 56,928 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | +22.4% | 2,330 | 19,840 | $29.37 |
| HVAC technician | +20.7% | 1,210 | 10,780 | $26.68 |
| Roofer | +20.5% | 250 | 2,620 | $21.97 |
| Plumber | +17.7% | 1,110 | 10,520 | $28.17 |
| Construction manager | +17.6% | 1,100 | 11,280 | $52.98 |
| Elevator mechanic | +17.6% | 80 | 790 | $48.31 |
| Brickmason | +17.0% | 170 | 1,830 | $30.70 |
| Lineman | +16.5% | 590 | 6,110 | $40.22 |
| Construction laborer | +16.5% | 3,780 | 37,260 | $21.64 |
| Construction supervisor | +15.3% | 1,720 | 18,240 | $35.81 |
| Glazier | +14.5% | 140 | 1,460 | $23.37 |
| Tile setter | +14.0% | 50 | 610 | $20.95 |
| Ironworker | +13.1% | 190 | 1,970 | $27.29 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +12.3% | 1,040 | 10,630 | $25.00 |
| Cement mason | +12.2% | 320 | 3,920 | $23.04 |
| Insulation worker | +10.9% | 110 | 1,180 | $23.28 |
| Sheet metal worker | +10.8% | 250 | 2,620 | $28.45 |
| Carpenter | +10.6% | 1,210 | 14,160 | $24.44 |
| Drywall installer | +10.4% | 110 | 1,340 | $22.84 |
| Painter | +10.4% | 460 | 5,090 | $20.78 |
| Welder | +9.3% | 1,550 | 14,050 | $23.10 |
| Diesel mechanic | +9.1% | 650 | 7,060 | $28.46 |
| Crane operator | +8.0% | 80 | 780 | $28.56 |
| Millwright | +7.8% | 100 | 1,050 | $29.72 |
| Machinist | +5.5% | 950 | 8,900 | $23.85 |
| Boilermaker | +4.2% | 20 | 210 | $24.91 |
Source: Tennessee long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
Construction jobs in Tennessee
Prevailing wage in Tennessee
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Tennessee, 38 of 95 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $47.70/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Tennessee
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Tennessee?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $52.98 an hour in May 2025, followed by elevator mechanics ($48.31) and linemen ($40.22).
Which trades are in highest demand in Tennessee?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, electricians (+22.4%), HVAC technicians (+20.7%), roofers (+20.5%). By openings a year, construction laborers (3,780 a year), electricians (2,330 a year), construction supervisors (1,720 a year). The figures come from Tennessee's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Tennessee compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 26 trades listed, 1 pay above the national median in Tennessee and 25 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 91.9% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Tennessee.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).