Welder in Tennessee
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TN. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Tennessee.
Jobs (TN)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a welder in Tennessee
While Tennessee does not require a general state license for welders, obtaining industry certifications like the AWS Certified Welder (CW) is highly recommended and often expected by employers. For those working on boilers and pressure vessels, a specific certification is required, overseen by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Boiler Unit. This involves passing an ASME Section IX Welder Qualification Test. AWS certifications are performance-based and widely recognized, offering transferable credentials.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Tennessee. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Tennessee requirements
| Licensing body | Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Boiler Unit |
| State license | Not required |
| Education | No specific education prerequisite for general welding, but vocational training is highly recommended. For boiler and pressure vessel welding, specific training and passing a performance qualification test are required. |
| Exam | AWS Certified Welder (CW) for general welding; ASME Section IX Welder Qualification Test for boiler and pressure vessel welding. ($35) |
| Reciprocity | Tennessee accepts nationally recognized AWS certification; boiler/pressure vessel reciprocity is not explicitly stated.Reciprocal states: Tennessee accepts AWS certification, which is nationally recognized and transferable. For boiler and pressure vessel welding, reciprocity is not explicitly stated for individual welders, but state and insurance inspectors are nationally commissioned. |
| Notes | Tennessee does not require a state license for general welding. However, certifications like AWS Certified Welder (CW) are widely accepted and often expected by employers. A specific certification is required for welders working on boilers and pressure vessels, overseen by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Boiler Unit. This certification requires passing an ASME Section IX Welder Qualification Test. Exam costs for AWS certification are typically paid to third-party inspectors/facilities and can vary. For boiler and pressure vessel welding, the Boiler Unit licenses companies for repair/erection, not individual welders. |
Source: Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Boiler Unit
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Tennessee? See whether Tennessee recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Welder license reciprocity guide.
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
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