Trades · Memphis, TN

Plumber Salary in Memphis, TN (2026)

Median Plumber salary in Memphis is approximately $54,300/year — 11.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Memphis

$54,300
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$26
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$2,088
Monthly
$4,525
Annual (gross)
$54,300
vs Tennessee state average
State avg: $56,100
-$1,800
vs US national
National median: $61,000
-$6,700

After-tax estimate

$42,544
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$54,300
Federal tax (~14%)
−$7,602
FICA (7.65%)
−$4,154
Tennessee state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$42,544
Monthly take-home
$3,545
For exact take-home, use our Memphis Paycheck Calculator.
Plumber salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Memphis
Oklahoma City, OK0.89×$54,300+$0
Lincoln, NE0.89×$54,300+$0
Indianapolis, IN0.90×$54,900+$600
Louisville, KY0.90×$54,900+$600
Birmingham, AL0.88×$53,700-$600

Plumber salaries in Memphis, TN

The estimated median Plumber salary in Memphis, Tennessee is $54,300/year, working out to approximately $26/hour at full-time, $2,088 per biweekly paycheck, or $4,525/month before taxes. Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.89× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Tennessee state average for this role ($56,100), Memphis pays about $1,800 less. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Memphis

Of the gross $54,300, you take home roughly $42,544 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Tennessee state income tax (none)
  • Memphis has no local income tax

That works out to about $3,545/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Memphis Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Memphis pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Memphis typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Memphis employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Plumber Salary in Tennessee — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Memphis Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Plumber salary in Memphis?
The estimated median Plumber salary in Memphis, Tennessee is $54,300 per year, or approximately $26/hour at standard full-time. Memphis sits 11.0% below the US national average for this role.
Memphis vs Tennessee state — what's the salary difference?
Memphis: $54,300. Tennessee state average for Plumber: $56,100. Difference: -$1,800 (3.2%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Memphis have a city income tax?
No, Memphis has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Tennessee state tax apply (Tennessee has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Memphis's cost of living relative to the US average. Memphis's multiplier is 0.89× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Plumber in Memphis?
Estimate: $42,544/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Tennessee state tax (~0.0% effective), and Memphis local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Memphis Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.