Pay data / Welders / Salary / Tennessee
Welder Salary
in Tennessee
Welders in Tennessee (TN) earn a median of $45,000 a year, about $22 an hour. That runs roughly 8% below the national median for welders, with most earning between $31,300 and $67,100.
Bottom 10%
$31,300
TN Median
$45,000
Top 10%
$67,100
Welder pay by experience in Tennessee
- Entry / Fabricator$29,300$14/hr
Shop welding and learning processes.
- Certified Welder$45,000$22/hr
AWS-certified on common processes and positions.
- Specialty / Pipe Welder$65,300$31/hr
6G pipe, TIG, and travel work.
Welder pay in Tennessee metros
- Nashville$47,900$23/hr
- Memphis$44,900$22/hr
- Knoxville$47,700$23/hr
Certification in Tennessee
Welders are certified rather than licensed, typically to AWS or ASME standards for the processes and positions they run. Certifications, not a state license, gate the higher-paying work.
Frequently asked
- How much do welders make in Tennessee?
- Welders in Tennessee earn a median of $45,000 per year, about $22 per hour. That is roughly 8% below the national median. Most earn between $31,300 and $67,100.
- What is the highest-paying place for welders in Tennessee?
- Among Tennessee's major metros, Nashville tends to pay welders the most, near $47,900 a year.
- Do you need a license to work as a welder in Tennessee?
- Welders are certified rather than licensed, typically to AWS or ASME standards for the processes and positions they run. Certifications, not a state license, gate the higher-paying work. In Tennessee, employers hire on certifications and demonstrated skill rather than a state license.
Welder pay in other states
Figures are estimates for 2026, anchored to national wage data and localized for Tennessee by cost of living and market conditions. Actual pay varies by employer, certification, and project.