Becoming an Electrician in Tennessee

The state is home to many job opportunities for those looking to start their career as an electrician. Jobs vary based on skill level and specialized training, and typical positions include contractor jobs with the government and residential electrician positions. Electricians will begin gaining experience immediately after deciding to pursue a career in the field, starting with a registered apprenticeship to achieve the required hours to obtain a journeyman license.[En Español]

Electrician policies and licenses are handled regionally in Tennessee after obtaining a journeyman license. Residents in the state will follow the guidelines based on Memphis, Knoxville or Nashville’s regulations. Electricians also have the option of getting an education in electrical technology in a few select, post-secondary schools in Tennessee.

Job Outlook and Salaries in Tennessee

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, there were 13,790 electricians employed in the state of Tennessee in 2023. There is an expected employment increase of 17 percent by 2033, adding another 1,770 electrician jobs to the state.

The mean annual salary for an electrician in Tennessee is $63,540, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. Due to the licensing and experience-based requirements for advancement in the field, there are plenty of opportunities for electricians to move up in positions. The top 10% of electricians in Tennessee earn $92,160 or more a year (BLS May 2025 OEWS data).

Salaries in Tennessee by Occupation

Occupation	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Wage	Annual Salary 10th Percentile	Annual Salary 25th Percentile	Annual Salary 75th Percentile	Annual Salary 90th Percentile
Electricians	13,790	$26.62	$55,380	$36,770	$45,770	$66,620	$80,400
Helpers--Electricians	2,840	$18.12	$37,690	$30,490	$35,110	$46,080	$49,780
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	260	$26.29	$54,680	$48,730	$49,800	$71,590	$79,830
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	1,640	$28.20	$58,650	$37,660	$47,170	$71,790	$92,450
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	580	$45.34	$94,310	$78,540	$94,310	$106,580	$106,580
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	2,210	$38.02	$79,080	$41,200	$53,290	$86,190	$94,310

Electrician Salaries in Tennessee by Region

Area	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Salary	Hourly Wage 10th Percentile	Hourly Wage 25th Percentile	Hourly Wage 75th Percentile	Hourly Wage 90th Percentile
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	2,450	$26.28	$54,660	$17.70	$21.96	$31.94	$36.70
Chattanooga, TN-GA	1,470	$24.81	$51,610	$17.40	$19.73	$33.55	$36.18
Clarksville, TN-KY	260	$24.28	$50,510	$17.79	$22.12	$29.31	$38.35
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA	550	$25.20	$52,420	$17.19	$20.13	$31.47	$36.98
Cleveland, TN	150	$23.67	$49,230	$17.23	$21.61	$28.57	$35.12
Jackson, TN	340	$26.30	$54,710	$17.13	$22.24	$29.10	$35.34
Johnson City, TN	120	$22.34	$46,460	$17.77	$18.41	$28.08	$29.92
Knoxville, TN	2,110	$24.19	$50,320	$17.33	$19.53	$29.76	$36.35
Morristown, TN	130	$24.23	$50,400	$17.66	$20.00	$28.49	$33.84
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	4,050	$28.09	$58,430	$18.02	$22.78	$33.75	$38.83

Electrical Apprenticeship Programs in Tennessee

To become an electrician in Tennessee, you can enter a program at a community or technical college, but ultimately you need to find an apprenticeship for hands-on training. Tennessee has five union-sponsored electrical apprenticeship programs.  

These five programs are operated through local JATCs (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee) and sponsored by the joint trust of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). They include locations in Tennessee’s biggest cities:

• Chattanooga Electrical JATC
• Memphis Electrical JATC
• Nashville Electrical JATC
• Oak Ridge Electrical JATC
• Electrician Training Academy Knoxville

Union training programs offer income, job stability and benefits, but they are competitive. To apply, you must have a GED or diploma, a passing grade in algebra, a passing score on a bath and reading test, and be at least 18 years old. Another competitive, union-related apprenticeship is through the Tennessee Valley Authority.

You also have two non-union options for electrical apprenticeships in Tennessee. One is through the Greater Tennessee Associated Builders and Contractors. The other is the Mid-South International Electrotechnical Commission. With these programs, you get on-the-job training with pay but also take classes and must pay tuition, about $2,400 per year.

Electrician Training in Tennessee

Future electricians can choose to pursue a schooling program to receive an education and transition into an apprenticeship, or begin their training by directly applying for a union, company or non-union apprenticeship.

To join a union-affiliated apprenticeship, you must be registered with the union, be at least 18 years old, have a diploma or GED, pass an algebra class or test, and pass an aptitude test. Individuals who meet these qualifications can register with a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) program in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville or Oak Ridge, Tennessee. There are also two non-union affiliated chapters, located in Memphis and Nashville, that are available with the same requirements, but individuals will need to find their work.

Electricians who are not residents of the regions mentioned above can apply to receive a limited license electrician (LLE) certification that is recognized by smaller areas of the state. The license does not replace electrician licenses and is not recognized statewide. Electrical contracting permits are also an option in Tennessee to those who are qualified and pass exams on electrical technology and business and law. These licenses are recognized statewide and do not have limitations like the LLE.

• Chattanooga State Community College. Electricians can obtain an associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology in Chattanooga, Dayton and Kimball.

Tennessee Electrician License Requirements

To become a licensed electrician in Tennessee, you will need to determine requirements with your local licensing authority. Here are licensing requirements for larger cities:

• Knoxville. There are four types of electrician licenses in Knoxville. The Knoxville Board of Electrical Examiners oversees and approves permits for electrical contractors, residential contractors, electrical maintenance and appliance dealers. Experience requirements range from two to five years depending on the license.
• Nashville. The only permits issued in Nashville are master electrician licenses. Journeyman licenses are not found in Nashville, and all electricians must have three years of apprenticeship work and three years of electrician work, or an engineering degree, to obtain a license.
• Memphis. Memphis residents can earn journeyman electrician and master electrician licenses. Requirements are based on age and a minimum of three and four years of experience, respectively. Both licenses are issued based on qualifications and exam scores.

Where to Find Work in Tennessee

Tennessee offers a wide variety of available jobs for electricians for the wide range of licenses. There are plenty of employment opportunities for electricians of all types, regardless of training, specialty and experience or licences. Master electricians and electrical contractors have the greatest variety of jobs and higher-paying opportunities available because of their high level of expertise. Limited License Electricians can only work on projects that cost less than $25,000, which restricts the positions they seek.

College Listings

Neighbor States

See options in the neighboring states of Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri.

More Electrician Training in Tennessee

• Where Can I Get Electrician Training in Knoxville, TN?
• What are the Best Apprenticeship Programs in Nashville?
• What Trade School Electrician Programs Are There in Nashville?