Plumber in Tennessee

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TN. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$57,730

trending_down -8.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Tennessee.

engineering

8,810

Jobs (TN)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$400

Est. total cost

schedule

Varies

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Tennessee

To become a licensed plumber in Tennessee, individuals can pursue either a Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license for projects under $25,000 or a CMC-A (Plumbing and Gas Piping Contractor) license for projects $25,000 or more, both issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. The LLP license requires at least one year of plumbing experience and passing the LLP exam, while the CMC-A requires three years of verifiable plumbing experience (or an engineering degree) and passing both the CMC-A trade exam and a Business and Law exam. While Tennessee offers trade exam waivers for the CMC-A license with several states, it's important to note that these are not full reciprocity agreements, and the Tennessee Business and Law exam is still required.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $38,080

25th percentile $45,610

50th (median) $57,730

75th percentile $72,200

90th (experienced) $81,570

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Tennessee. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Tennessee requirements

Licensing body	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED (for state-level licenses). Classroom instruction (576-900 hours) often required for local journeyman licenses.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) Exam or CMC-A Commercial Plumbing Exam & Business and Law Exam ($57)
Application fee	$75
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Notes	Tennessee issues both state-level and local plumbing licenses. State-level licenses include the Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) for projects under $25,000 and the CMC-A (Plumbing and Gas Piping Contractor) for projects $25,000 or more. Journeyman licenses are handled at the local municipal level and often require 8,000 hours (4 years) of experience and 576-900 hours of classroom instruction. The minimum age for state licenses is 18. Some counties do not accept the LLP license, and local licenses may be required even with a state license for permits and inspections. The LLP exam does not require pre-approval, but the CMC-A exam does, requiring 3 years of verifiable plumbing experience or an engineering degree in the plumbing/mechanical field. Financial statements and insurance are required for the CMC-A license.

Source: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors

workspace_premium Tennessee license tiers

Tennessee offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Contractor (CMC-A)	N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.5%

Faster than average

Annual openings

44,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

504,500

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -1.12/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$400 investment ÷ $57,730 median salary

check_circleTennessee license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a plumber career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a plumber in Tennessee? expand_more

To become a plumber in Tennessee, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED (for state-level licenses). Classroom instruction (576-900 hours) often required for local journeyman licenses.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) Exam or CMC-A Commercial Plumbing Exam & Business and Law Exam, and submit your application ($75 fee).

Does Tennessee require plumber licensure? expand_more

Tennessee mandates state licensure for plumbers. Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors oversees the process, which includes passing the Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) Exam or CMC-A Commercial Plumbing Exam & Business and Law Exam.

How much does a plumber make in Tennessee? expand_more

In Tennessee, the median pay for plumbers comes to $57,730/year. This trails the $62,970 national median by 8%. Wages range from $38,080 (10th percentile) up to $81,570 (90th percentile).

How much does it cost to become a plumber in Tennessee? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($57) and application fee ($75). The estimated total investment is $400, including education and training.

How long does it take to become a plumber in Tennessee? expand_more

Expect to spend Varies from start to finish in Tennessee — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.