Welder in Tennessee
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TN
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.
Welder Requirements in Tennessee
| Detail | Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Boiler Unit |
| State License Required | No |
| 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) |
| 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
Welder Salary in Tennessee
The median welder salary in Tennessee is $47,280 per year, which is 7.3% below the national median of $51,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $37,440 |
| 25th | $40,950 |
| 50th (median) | $47,280 |
| 75th | $54,970 |
| 90th (experienced) | $63,380 |
Tennessee employs approximately 12,610 welders.
Welder Job Outlook
AI Impact on Welders
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.20/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Welder in Tennessee Worth It?
Factors to consider: Tennessee's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.