The Best and Highest-Paying Jobs in Tennessee

The highest-paying jobs in Tennessee can be found in various industries and include logistics, technology, health, and science professions. Some of the best jobs in Tennessee are also found in the leisure and hospitality sector and the construction sector where employment has been steadily growing.

In this article, we have broken down the highest-paying jobs, their job description, their economic outlook, and whether they require a college education, professional degree, or simply have an entry-level education requirement. This guide will provide you with all you need to know about moving to the state and finding one of the best jobs in Tennessee.

Tennessee Economic Outlook

Tennessee has a positive economic outlook in its various industries. According to the most recent statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee has an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent, which is slightly below the national unemployment rate of around 3.6 percent. This shows that future careers are on the rise and that unemployment is dropping.

Some industries have also witnessed a spike in employment growth. The leisure and hospitality industry saw a 15 percent increase, followed by the information sector at 13 percent, and a seven percent increase in mining, logging, and construction.

The Highest-Paying Jobs in Tennessee

The Best Jobs in Tennessee: Explained

Below are some of the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee. They range from tech to construction, to teaching, to jobs in health services. These jobs involve administrative duties, clinical duties, and activities of workers engaged in manual labor.

1. Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychologists specialize in investigations to determine patterns in identifying criminal behavior. They’re responsible for making accurate criminal profiles that aid law enforcement in their cases. Clinical psychology is also part of the methodology used by forensic psychologists and requires formal education requirements.

2. Cyber Security Professional

Cyber security professionals are tasked with safeguarding data and information and employ cyber security processes and methods to complete a wide variety of processes and tasks. They build security systems that shield data from external and internal threats like hacking and security breaches. They also conduct regular quality control on existing security strategies. These professionals typically have a degree or have completed a cyber security bootcamp.

3. Box Truck Owner Operator

Box truck owner-operators are in-charge of transporting large quantities of cargo to different locations in supply chains. A box truck can ship numerous items like consumer goods, hardware materials, and electronic equipment. These owner-operators also act as logistics managers for clients as they assist them in distribution activities across the united states.

4. Pilot

Pilots fly airplanes for various purposes like the shipment of goods or commercial flights, for example. In coordination with air traffic control tower operators using communications equipment, they adjust and assess their flight paths. The different types of jobs include air-tour pilots, air ambulance pilots, charter pilots, international airline pilots, and flight engineers.

5. Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife biologists study animal behavior in their natural habitats. They observe them, run experiments, and record and present their findings through the scientific method. On occasion, they may work for animal advocacy groups or governments to make recommendations regarding policies that protect animals and their habitats. This job requires a college education.

6. Educational Consultant

Educational consultants act as guidance counselors to help students and parents make good decisions about schooling. They counsel people in their educational journey and help them narrow down their job choices. Educational consultants, like guidance counselors, work for agencies and organizations or provide individual services to those in need of their expertise.

7. Pipeline Welder

A pipeline welder is responsible for wielding. Using a flame torch they connect different pieces of metal to be assembled or repaired. The occupation is typically found in refineries, oil rigs, or utility companies. The activities of workers engaged in welding use safety tools like cable equipment, repair damaged machinery, and build pipe systems in an efficient and safe manner.

8. Power Lineman

Power linemen are skilled electricians that work with electrical systems and electrical power. They use tools to operate and test electrical lines to ensure quality control. As part of the profession, power linemen help construct new power grids or gain access to hard-to-reach areas like heavy-duty transmission towers. There are central offices in most major cities like Santa Rosa and Atlantic City.

9. Registered Nurse

Registered nurses (RNs) work with medical doctors and health practitioners, check vitals, and keep tabs on patients. They perform duties like assisting patients with their chronic illness, performing preventive care, and monitoring vital signs. The educational credential required for this job pathway is a four-year college nursing program or a graduate degree.

10. House Inspector

House inspectors adhere to residential safety standards, building codes, and applicable government laws. In homes, they perform audits by checking the interior and exterior areas. Using electronic equipment, they review any electrical, plumbing, or structural components of housing units. They have good annual salaries and only need a high-school diploma.

Highest-Paying Jobs in Tennessee Without a Degree

Below are jobs that don’t require an educational credential in the form of a professional degree or graduate education. These employment options require trade skills and specialization that need hands-on training. These range from maintenance technician jobs, electrical equipment work, and mechanical equipment handling.

• Brick Mason | $49,813. Brick masons perform work activities of construction through brick placement to build foundations for infrastructures. They’re tasked to make brick walls by layering them on top of one another and binding them with a thin coat of cement.
• Electrician | $50,977. Electricians are responsible for installing, maintaining, and enhancing various electrical systems, and communications equipment. These components include fuses, wiring, and lights. They perform these tasks in adherence to the federal government electrical standards and blueprints.
• Firefighter | $48,473. Firefighters’ duties involve preventing and combatting different kinds of fire disasters. They perform inspections of hazards and risks as well as enact training classes on fire safety and care. Moreover, they operate firefighting equipment like fire trucks and water hoses as well as wear firefighting gear.
• Crane Operator | $50,108. Crane operators, as the job description suggests, use mechanical booms to perform heavy machinery and construction work. Industrial processes that involve crane operation include lifting heavy equipment and materials to upper levels of the construction site.
• Automobile Mechanic | $43,418. Automobile mechanics assess vehicles to properly troubleshoot any issues or replace broken equipment on customers’ cars. Work activities of mechanics involve repairing car facets, inspecting various sections, and using computer-related equipment to assess internal codes.

What Is the Cost of Living in Tennessee?

The cost of living in Tennessee is slightly above-average in comparison to its neighboring states. According to the Personal Consumption Expenditures 2020 report made by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the average yearly cost of living in Tennessee is about $37,499. The data is taken from different expenses like food, utilities, and recreational activities.

When compared to adjacent states, North Carolina has a cost of living of around $38,295, Kentucky has a cost of living of around $36,475, and Alabama has a cost of living of about $35,859. The data shows that Tennessee has an average cost of living.

Is Tennessee a Good Place to Work?

Yes, Tennessee is a good place to work. The state offers a wide array of occupations that pay well and has a low cost of living that allows for more financial breathing room. It also has some of the best coding bootcamps in Memphis.

Moreover, there are some of the best jobs in Tennessee that don’t necessarily have an educational credential like a college degree. These occupations involve specialized trade skills that allow for niche work and projects. Overall, Tennessee is a state that has good economic stature and a relatively low cost of living with several industries growing in various sectors.

Highest-Paying Jobs in Tennessee FAQ