Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Salary
The median pay for a structural metal fabricators and fitters in Tennessee is $50,460/year ($24.26/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $56,204 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,215/month, about 34.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $50K get you in Tennessee?
About structural metal fabricators and fitters
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Structural metal fabricators and fitters pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $50K locally vs. $51K nationwide, a 2% difference. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level structural metal fabricators and fitters (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $26K spread from bottom to top.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters salary by metro in Tennessee
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport-Bristol | $66K | +31% | 70 |
| Jackson | $58K | +16% | 80 |
| Memphis | $52K | +4% | 390 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $52K | +2% | 530 |
| Knoxville | $51K | +1% | 400 |
| Chattanooga | $48K | -5% | 180 |
| Johnson City | $46K | -9% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track structural metal fabricators and fitters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a structural metal fabricators and fitter afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $50K, rent takes 34.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for structural metal fabricators and fitters in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new structural metal fabricators and fitters typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,326/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 52% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is structural metal fabricators and fitter a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $50K locally vs. $51K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for structural metal fabricators and fitters?
Tennessee pays $50K median vs. the U.S. average of $51K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $56K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do structural metal fabricators and fitters make in Tennessee?
The median is $50,460 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,760, and experienced structural metal fabricators and fitters can clear $64,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,549/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 34.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a structural metal fabricators and fitters salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median structural metal fabricators and fitters salary is worth about $56,204 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do structural metal fabricators and fitters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.