A Career Guide for Plumbers in Memphis, TN

If you're a plumber looking for a new city, Memphis offers a compelling mix of solid demand, a low cost of living, and a unique cultural vibe. This isn't a flashy tech hub; it's the gritty, hardworking heart of the Mid-South, where infrastructure is constant, and skilled trades are respected. As a local analyst who's watched the job market for years, I can tell you that Memphis is a city built on practical needs, and plumbers are at the core of keeping it running. Let's break down the real numbers, the neighborhoods, and the career path to see if it's the right fit for you.

The Salary Picture: Where Memphis Stands

First, let's talk numbers. In the Memphis metro area, the median salary for a plumber is $61,905/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.76/hour. This is slightly below the national average for plumbers, which sits at $63,350/year. However, this figure is a median, meaning half of the plumbers in the area earn more, and half earn less. Your actual earnings will depend heavily on your experience, specialization, and the type of company you work for.

Experience is the biggest driver of income in the trades. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect at different career stages in the Memphis market:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary Range (Memphis)
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$38,000 - $48,000
Mid-Level	2-8 years	$52,000 - $72,000
Senior	8-15 years	$70,000 - $85,000+
Expert/Specialist	15+ years	$85,000 - $110,000+

Insider Tip: The $61,905 median is a solid baseline, but it doesn't capture the full picture. Union plumbers with the United Association Local 17 (Memphis's UA chapter) often see higher total compensation when you factor in benefits, pensions, and overtime. On the commercial or industrial side, especially with a company that does work for major manufacturers or hospitals, senior-level earnings can push well into the six figures.

Compared to other Tennessee cities, Memphis sits in a sweet spot. Nashville's growth has driven salaries higher, but the cost of living there is significantly steeper. Knoxville and Chattanooga have similar cost profiles to Memphis, but with fewer large-scale commercial projects. The 6% 10-year job growth for the metro area is a key indicator. It's not explosive growth, but it's steady and reliable, tied to the city's constant need for infrastructure maintenance, residential development in the suburbs, and commercial upgrades.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get practical. A median salary of $61,905 sounds promising, but what does it mean for your daily life? To figure this out, we need to look at taxes and the city's most significant expense: housing.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $61,905/year:

• Gross Monthly Income: $5,158.75
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, State, FICA): ~$1,185/month (This is an estimate; actuals depend on filing status, deductions, etc.)
• Take-Home Pay: ~$3,974/month
• Average 1BR Rent (Memphis Metro): $1,146/month
• Remaining for Utilities, Food, Transportation, Savings: ~$2,828/month

The Cost of Living Index for Memphis is 92.4 (US avg = 100). This means your money goes about 7.6% further here than the national average. The key driver is housing. The average 1BR rent of $1,146/month is significantly lower than the national average, which often exceeds $1,600 in major metros. This leaves a healthy cushion in your budget compared to cities like Austin or Denver.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in the Memphis metro is around $250,000-$280,000. With a take-home pay of nearly $4,000/month and a mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) of around $1,500-$1,700 for a starter home, a plumber earning the median salary can comfortably enter the housing market. This is a major advantage over more expensive cities where buying a home on a trade salary is often out of reach.

Where the Jobs Are: Memphis's Major Employers

Memphis's economy is built on logistics, healthcare, and education, which creates diverse opportunities for plumbers beyond just residential service calls. Here are the major employers and hiring trends to target:

1. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: A massive, always-expanding campus with complex medical gas and piping systems. They have an in-house facilities team and also use large contractors for expansions. Hiring is steady, and the work is high-end and specialized.
2. Regional One Health (The Med): As the region's level-1 trauma center and public hospital, their facilities are under constant use and upgrade. They have a robust facilities maintenance department.
3. FedEx World Headquarters: The city's largest employer has a colossal campus in Collierville. Their facilities team handles everything from commercial boilers to water systems for thousands of employees. They have a continuous need for skilled tradespeople.
4. Memphis-Shelby County Schools: The school district is one of the largest in the state, with dozens of aging buildings. Maintenance and renovation projects provide consistent work, often through contractors or the district's own maintenance division.
5. International Paper (Headquarters): Another Fortune 500 company based in Memphis, their facilities require industrial-grade plumbing and process piping.
6. Local Commercial Contractors: Companies like EMJ Corporation, Brasfield & Gorrie, and Duke-Weeks are major players in commercial construction. They frequently bid on projects for hospitals, corporate HQs, and manufacturing facilities and hire journeyman plumbers.
7. Residential Service Companies: Large local players like Baker Home Services and Levine & Sons are always hiring service technicians. The residential market is robust, driven by the city's aging housing stock and new suburban developments.

Hiring Trend: The trend is toward specialization. While general service plumbers are always needed, there is growing demand for those with certifications in backflow prevention, medical gas, hydronic heating, and commercial fire sprinkler systems. Companies that handle large commercial or institutional work prefer to hire plumbers who already have these certifications.

Getting Licensed in Tennessee

Tennessee requires plumbers to be licensed at the state level. This is a clear, structured path.

• State Licensing Board: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (https://www.tn.gov/contractors/). All licensing information is managed here.
• Requirements: You must have a specific amount of documented experience working under a licensed plumber or contractor. For a Journeyman License, you typically need 4-5 years of experience (approx. 8,000 hours). For a Master License, you need 2-3 additional years of experience (approx. 4,000 hours) after becoming a Journeyman.
• Costs: Exam fees are approximately $200-$300 per attempt. License application fees are around $100-$200. You'll also need to purchase study materials and potentially take a prep course, which can cost several hundred dollars.
• Timeline: If you are already working as an apprentice, the path is clear. If you are moving from out-of-state, you must have your experience verified by the board. The entire process, from applying to taking the exam and getting your license, can take 3-6 months once you've met the experience requirements.
• Insider Tip: The board is strict about documentation. Keep meticulous records of your work hours, projects, and the license numbers of the master plumbers you've worked under. Moving from out of state? Start the verification process early. Also, pay attention to local city-level permits; Memphis and Shelby County have their own permit requirements that work alongside the state license.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live affects your commute and your lifestyle. Memphis is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with a different feel and price point.

1. East Memphis / Poplar Corridor: This is the professional's hub. It's close to major employers like St. Jude, FedEx, and International Paper. The area is filled with established single-family homes (many built in the 60s-80s), which means steady residential service and repair work. It's centrally located with easy access to I-40 and I-240. Rent Estimate: A 1BR apartment here might run $1,000 - $1,300/month.
2. Collierville (Suburban East): While technically its own town, it's part of the metro and is where many FedEx executives and families live. It's a major hub for new residential construction and high-end renovations. The commute to Memphis proper is 25-35 minutes. Rent Estimate: A 1BR is slightly higher, around $1,200 - $1,500/month.
3. Bartlett / Cordova (Northeast Memphis): These suburbs are booming with new subdivisions and shopping centers. The demand for new construction plumbing is strong here. It's more affordable than Collierville and has a strong community feel. Rent Estimate: $950 - $1,200/month for a 1BR.
4. Downtown / South Main: If you prefer an urban vibe, Downtown is revitalizing. The work here is largely commercial and historic renovation. It's walkable and has a vibrant nightlife, but parking is a challenge. Commute to suburban job sites can be longer. Rent Estimate: 1BR apartments in newer buildings are pricier, $1,300 - $1,700/month.
5. Midtown: A eclectic, historic area with a mix of old homes and apartments. It's centrally located and has a unique character. The housing stock is old, which means frequent repair work. Rent Estimate: $1,000 - $1,400/month.

Commute Insight: Traffic in Memphis is generally manageable compared to other major cities. However, bridges (especially the I-40/Hernando DeSoto Bridge) and the I-240 loop can get congested. Living on the same side of the river as your primary job site (East, North, or South) will save you significant time.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Memphis, career growth for a plumber isn't just about climbing a corporate ladder; it's about accumulating skills and knowledge that command a premium.

• Specialty Premiums: This is where you can significantly boost your income beyond the median.

  • Medical Gas Certification (ASSE 6000 series): Critical for work in hospitals and dental offices. Can add a $5-$10/hour premium.
  • Backflow Prevention (ASSE 5110): Required for many commercial and irrigation systems. A standard certification for many service plumbers.
  • Industrial/Process Piping: Working in manufacturing plants (food processing, chemical) requires specialized knowledge and pays at the top of the scale.
  • Project Management: For those who move from the tools to estimating and project management for a contracting firm, salary potential jumps into the $80,000 - $110,000+ range.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 6% job growth is a stable indicator. The demand will be driven by:

  • Aging Infrastructure: Much of Memphis's residential and commercial plumbing is decades old and needs replacement.
  • Commercial Expansion: As the city continues to attract logistics and healthcare investment, new facilities will be built and old ones expanded.
  • Residential Boom: Suburban areas like Collierville, Bartlett, and Olive Branch (in Mississippi) are seeing steady new home construction.

The path is clear: become a Journeyman, earn your Master License, specialize in a high-demand area, and you can build a very lucrative career in Memphis. For the entrepreneurial, starting your own service company is a viable path, given the constant need for residential repairs.

The Verdict: Is Memphis Right for You?

Here’s a balanced look at the pros and cons of moving to Memphis as a plumber.

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your salary goes far, especially for housing. Homeownership is very attainable.	Summers are Brutally Hot & Humid: Working in attics and crawlspaces from June to August is physically demanding.
Steady, Diverse Job Market: Demand from healthcare, logistics, schools, and residential sectors provides stability.	Public School Challenges: The quality of public schools varies widely, which may be a consideration for families.
Strong Union Presence (UA Local 17): Offers excellent benefits, pensions, and structured wage increases for union members.	Crime Rates: Memphis has a high crime rate, which requires vigilance and careful neighborhood selection.
Rich Culture & Music Scene: Unmatched blues, soul, and BBQ culture. There's a strong sense of local pride.	Sales Tax: Tennessee has no state income tax, but the combined sales tax (9.75% in Memphis) is among the highest in the nation.
Central Location: Easy access to Nashville, Little Rock, and St. Louis for weekend trips or networking.	Limited Public Transit: A car is a necessity. Commutes are car-dependent.

Final Recommendation:

Yes, Memphis is an excellent choice for plumbers, especially those in the mid-to-senior level of their careers or those looking to specialize. It is not the right fit for someone seeking glamour, a bustling night life, or a top-tier public school system for their children. However, for a skilled tradesperson who values job security, a low cost of living, and the ability to build real wealth through homeownership and savings, Memphis is a hidden gem. The key is to leverage the steady demand, consider joining the union for long-term benefits, and specialize to maximize your earning potential. If you're willing to handle the heat and be mindful of the city's challenges, you can build a very comfortable and rewarding life here.

FAQs

Q: Is the plumbing market saturated in Memphis?
A: No. The steady 6% growth rate and diverse employer base indicate a healthy, sustained demand. While there are plenty of plumbers, there's a real shortage of highly skilled, reliable, and specialized professionals, especially in the commercial and service sectors.

Q: What's the deal with the union? Should I join?
A: The United Association Local 17 is a strong force in Memphis. For residential service plumbers, it's a personal choice. For those interested in large-scale commercial, industrial, or hospital work, being a union member is often a significant advantage. It provides structured training, higher wage scales, excellent health benefits, and a pension. It's worth reaching out to their training center to understand the apprenticeship and journeyman requirements.

Q: How does licensing work if I'm already licensed in another state?
A: Tennessee does not have reciprocity agreements with many states. You will need to apply to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors and have your experience and current license verified. You may be required to take the Tennessee state exam, even if you hold a license from another state. Contact the board directly with your specific situation.

Q: What's the best way to find a job here before I move?
A: Use a combination of approaches. Look at the websites of the major employers listed (St. Jude, FedEx, etc.) for facility maintenance openings. Check job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn, but also look for postings from local contractors like EMJ or Brasfield & Gorrie. For residential service, look at Baker Home Services and Levine & Sons. Networking is key; consider reaching out to UA Local 17 if you're interested in union work.

Q: Are there opportunities for side work?
A: Yes, but be cautious. Tennessee law requires a licensed contractor to perform work over a certain dollar amount. As a journeyman or master plumber, you can legally perform service and repair work, but you must follow state and local permitting rules. Many plumbers do legitimate side work, but it's critical to understand the legal boundaries to avoid fines.