SOC 51-4031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — North Central Tennessee
North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $46,060 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $46,330.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $46,060 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $46,330. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $38,620 and $50,670. The lowest tenth earn under $35,080, while the highest tenth earn more than $50,670.
The area has 410 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 3.22 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Nashville records the highest median at $45,650. Of the 318 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 157th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,080 | −24.3% |
| 25th | $38,620 | −16.6% |
| Median (50th) | $46,060 | −0.6% |
| 75th | $50,670 | +9.4% |
| 90th | $50,670 | +9.4% |
| Mean | $43,890 | −5.3% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $45,650 | 1,190 | |
| 2 | Clarksville | $45,560 | 310 | |
| 3 | Knoxville | $45,420 | 720 | |
| 4 | Kingsport | $43,920 | 280 | |
| 5 | Cleveland | $43,720 | 70 | |
| 6 | Jackson | $43,150 | 210 | |
| 7 | Chattanooga | $41,320 | 410 | |
| 8 | Johnson City | $40,110 | 100 | |
| 9 | Memphis | $39,880 | 440 | |
| 10 | Morristown | $39,860 | 290 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Central Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $46,060 goes as far as $50,120 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,060as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,120US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,060 a year, 0.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,080 to $50,670 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 410 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $45,650.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in North Central Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $46,060, or $22.14 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $46,330, so pay in North Central Tennessee, TN is 0.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Central Tennessee, TN earns more than $50,670 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,080 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Nashville, at $45,650 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 410 jobs in this occupation in North Central Tennessee, TN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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