SOC 51-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers — Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN-GA · 9 metro areas compared
At $70,660, median pay for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers in Chattanooga, TN tracks the national median of $74,450 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $70,660, median pay for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers in Chattanooga, TN tracks the national median of $74,450 closely. Pay ranges from under $47,980 at the tenth percentile to more than $104,040 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $56,840 to $81,810.
The area has 1,730 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.49 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Kingsport records the highest median at $76,820. Of the 466 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 106th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,980 | −35.6% |
| 25th | $56,840 | −23.7% |
| Median (50th) | $70,660 | −5.1% |
| 75th | $81,810 | +9.9% |
| 90th | $104,040 | +39.7% |
| Mean | $73,080 | −1.8% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingsport | $76,820 | 880 | |
| 2 | Clarksville | $73,300 | 730 | |
| 3 | Nashville | $70,470 | 4,600 | |
| 4 | Morristown | $69,450 | 550 | |
| 5 | Memphis | $65,990 | 2,910 | |
| 6 | Knoxville | $64,300 | 2,550 | |
| 7 | Jackson | $63,550 | 850 | |
| 8 | Johnson City | $60,880 | 430 | |
| 9 | Cleveland | $58,120 | 430 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Chattanooga run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $70,660 goes as far as $76,888 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$70,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$76,888US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $70,660 a year, 5.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,980 to $104,040 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,730 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kingsport, at $76,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers in Chattanooga, TN?
The median annual wage is $70,660, or $33.97 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 $74,450, so pay in Chattanooga, TN is 5.1% 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 Chattanooga, TN earns more than $104,040 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,980 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 Kingsport, at $76,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,730 jobs in this occupation in Chattanooga, 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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