Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine 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
$38,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $44,350
State Rank
#46 of 49
3,730 employed here

How much do Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Tennessee?

Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $38,820 per year, or about $18.66 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $44,350 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $30,750 while the top 10% make $57,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,380 and $46,420 a year.

Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$30,750$14.78
25th percentile (early career)$34,380$16.53
50th percentile (median)$38,820$18.66
75th percentile (experienced)$46,420$22.32
90th percentile (top earners)$57,450$27.62

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 46th out of 49 states and territories for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$77,560
2Maryland$63,460
3Maine$59,230
4Minnesota$49,590
5Nevada$49,590

Working as Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee

Nationally, about 150,000 people work as Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine 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 ($38,820) 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 Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Tennessee?
The median Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Tennessee is $38,820 per year, or about $18.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,750 at the entry level to $57,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 12% less than the national median of $44,350. Tennessee ranks 46th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,820 a year. About 3,730 Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine 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 Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine 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.