Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$45,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.67
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $49,080
State Rank
#25 of 31
400 employed here

How much do Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Tennessee?

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $45,070 per year, or about $21.67 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $49,080 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $39,880 while the top 10% make $64,070 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,710 and $46,320 a year.

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,880$19.17
25th percentile (early career)$41,710$20.05
50th percentile (median)$45,070$21.67
75th percentile (experienced)$46,320$22.27
90th percentile (top earners)$64,070$30.80

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 25th out of 31 states and territories for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Virginia$90,390
2Massachusetts$77,780
3Idaho$69,590
4Florida$66,340
5Michigan$60,410

Working as Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee

Nationally, about 5,000 people work as Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($45,070) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Tennessee?
The median Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Tennessee is $45,070 per year, or about $21.67 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,880 at the entry level to $64,070 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 8% less than the national median of $49,080. Tennessee ranks 25th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $45,070 a year. About 400 Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.