Tennessee Median
$49,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $58,750
State Rank
#50 of 51
8,270 employed here
How much does a Machinist make in Tennessee?
A Machinist working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $49,600 per year, or about $23.85 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $58,750 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $37,560 while the top 10% make $70,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,200 and $61,220 a year.
Machinist salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,560 | $18.06 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $43,200 | $20.77 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,600 | $23.85 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,220 | $29.43 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,430 | $33.86 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 50th out of 51 states and territories for Machinist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Machinist salary in other states
Hawaii $84,410Alaska $77,670District of Columbia $72,900Massachusetts $67,270Washington $66,160Oregon $63,820New Jersey $63,190Wyoming $63,070Vermont $62,680Delaware $62,650Connecticut $62,130North Dakota $61,820New Hampshire $61,500Virginia $61,290Utah $61,280Minnesota $61,140Louisiana $61,110Arizona $61,080Montana $60,920New York $60,920Colorado $60,200Maryland $59,810New Mexico $59,440Texas $59,180Maine $59,160Wisconsin $59,110Idaho $58,810Missouri $58,710Kentucky $58,660Illinois $58,520South Carolina $57,970Ohio $57,940Pennsylvania $57,810Indiana $57,800Rhode Island $57,760Iowa $57,540California $57,190Florida $57,140Nebraska $55,860Alabama $55,560Mississippi $55,550North Carolina $55,230Nevada $53,050Georgia $52,610Michigan $52,360Kansas $51,220Arkansas $51,140Oklahoma $51,120South Dakota $50,890West Virginia $47,350
Working as a Machinist in Tennessee
Nationally, about 287,000 people work as Machinists in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($49,600) 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 does a Machinist make in Tennessee?
The median Machinist salary in Tennessee is $49,600 per year, or about $23.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,560 at the entry level to $70,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Machinists about 16% less than the national median of $58,750. Tennessee ranks 50th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Machinists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,600 a year. About 8,270 Machinists 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 Machinist 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.