ConstructionUpdated Q1 2025No state income tax

Welder Salary
in Knoxville, TN

Join metal parts using heat and pressure in manufacturing, construction, and repair. Median salary in Knoxville: $45K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$45K
per year
Take-home: $32K

Salary range in Knoxville

Entry level (25th)$34,000
Median (50th)$45,000
Senior (75th)$58,000
Top earner (90th)$74,000

Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Key facts for Knoxville

Median salary
$45K
annual
Take-home pay
$32K
after fed/state tax
COL index
85
100 = US avg
State income tax
None
Texas advantage!
Avg 1BR rent
$1,150
per month
YoY growth
+3.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Knoxville Welder to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $45K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Knoxville

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Welder salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$38K$41K$45K$48K$51K201920212023202520272029
2026
$46K
projected
2027
$47K
projected
2028
$48K
projected
2029
$50K
projected
2030
$51K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$45,000+$0
2028 projected$45,000+$0
2029 projected$45,000+$0
2030 projected$45,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Welder Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Welder salary in Knoxville, TN is $45,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Knoxville–TN metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Welder in Knoxville

Entry-level Welders in Knoxville with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $34,000 and $45,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $45,000 to $58,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $58,000 to $74,000 or more.

Cost of living in Knoxville for Welders

Knoxville has a cost of living index of 85 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 15% further in Knoxville than the national average. Crucially, Tennessee has no state income tax — giving Knoxville-based Welders an immediate 3–5% take-home pay advantage over workers in states like California (9.3%) or New York (6.85%).

Education requirements for Welder

Trade school or apprenticeship; AWS certifications. 2% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Welder salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Knoxville (current)$45K85
Nashville102
Memphis82
Chattanooga88
Clarksville82