Tennessee Median
$40,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $50,620
State Rank
#35 of 36
700 employed here
How much do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Tennessee?
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee take home a median of $40,730 annually — roughly $19.58 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $50,620.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $35,080 while the top 10% make $59,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,770 and $55,850 a year.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,080 | $16.87 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,770 | $18.16 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $40,730 | $19.58 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $55,850 | $26.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,910 | $28.80 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 35th out of 36 states and territories for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other states
Colorado $71,670Maine $64,800Minnesota $61,000Massachusetts $60,870California $60,180Alabama $58,490Nevada $58,240Pennsylvania $57,020Arizona $55,840Illinois $54,930Maryland $54,860North Carolina $53,840West Virginia $53,660Wisconsin $51,020New York $50,760Louisiana $50,560Iowa $50,370Georgia $50,180Ohio $49,880South Carolina $49,490Indiana $49,420Connecticut $49,380New Hampshire $48,980Missouri $48,950Virginia $48,920New Jersey $48,180Texas $48,020Nebraska $47,350Kansas $47,310Kentucky $47,060Michigan $46,680Florida $44,710Oklahoma $43,680Oregon $41,640Arkansas $39,060
Working as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Lathe and Turning 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 ($40,730) 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 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Tennessee?
The median Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Tennessee is $40,730 per year, or about $19.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,080 at the entry level to $59,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 20% less than the national median of $50,620. Tennessee ranks 35th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $40,730 a year. About 700 Lathe and Turning 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 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary report
Related salaries
$41,330
median pay · 7,000 employed
$43,530
median pay · 15,000 employed
$41,640
median pay · 14,000 employed
$48,570
median pay · 597,000 employed
$50,690
median pay · 169,000 employed
$46,460
median pay · 12,000 employed
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.