Plumber Salary

Knoxville vs La Vergne: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Knoxville, TN and La Vergne, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$61,368
$29.51/hr
La Vergne, TN
$57,480
$27.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNLa Vergne, TN
Median Salary$61,368$57,480
Hourly Rate$29.51$27.64
Entry Level (P10)$39,921$42,133
25th Percentile$48,379$46,307
75th Percentile$75,321$73,575
Top Earner (P90)$81,565$89,094
Total Employed1,7008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($61,368) and La Vergne ($57,480) plumber salaries.KnoxvilleLa VergneMedian Salary$61,368$57,480Entry Level (P10)$39,921$42,133Top Earner (P90)$81,565$89,094US Median $65,408

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to La Vergne.

The salary gap between Knoxville and La Vergne is $3,888 (6.76%). Knoxville's median is -6.18% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $41,644,La Vergne spans $46,961. La Vergne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$39,921
P25$48,379
Median$61,368
P75$75,321
P90 (Top)$81,565
La Vergne
P10 (Entry)$42,133
P25$46,307
Median$57,480
P75$73,575
P90 (Top)$89,094

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($66,294 effective) pays 5.88% more than La Vergne ($62,614 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $61,368
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $66,294
La Vergne
Nominal: $57,480
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $62,614

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,368/year)
  • Larger job market (1,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,294)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose La Vergne if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,094)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Knoxville grew 34.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.4% growth in La Vergne over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+34.2%

$44,610 (2019) → $59,860 (2025)

La Vergne, TN

+18.4%

$47,344 (2024) → $56,067 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Knoxville or La Vergne?

Knoxville has a higher median plumber salary at $61,368/year, compared to La Vergne at $57,480/year — a difference of $3,888 (6.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and La Vergne?

Knoxville plumbers earn $29.51/hr while La Vergne hygienists earn $27.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to La Vergne as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and La Vergne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $66,294, La Vergne = $62,614), job availability (1,700 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Knoxville vs La Vergne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $39,921 in Knoxville and $42,133 in La Vergne. The La Vergne area offers higher starting salaries.
ST

Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov