SOC 51-4193 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Knoxville
Knoxville, TN · 5 metro areas compared
In Knoxville, TN the median wage is $39,440.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Knoxville, TN the median wage is $39,440. That is 10.3% lower than the national median of $43,960. Pay ranges from under $36,660 at the tenth percentile to more than $49,720 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $39,060 to $39,440.
Employment stands at 280, or 0.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Nashville records the highest median at $47,630. Of the 536 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 411th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,660 | −16.6% |
| 25th | $39,060 | −11.1% |
| Median (50th) | $39,440 | −10.3% |
| 75th | $39,440 | −10.3% |
| 90th | $49,720 | +13.1% |
| Mean | $40,470 | −7.9% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $47,630 | 540 | |
| 2 | Memphis | $42,990 | 70 | |
| 3 | Jackson | $38,220 | 90 | |
| 4 | Kingsport | $37,090 | 40 | |
| 5 | Chattanooga | $27,520 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Knoxville run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $39,440 goes as far as $42,916 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,916US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,440 a year, 10.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,660 to $49,720 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 280 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $47,630.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Knoxville, TN?
The median annual wage is $39,440, or $18.96 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 $43,960, so pay in Knoxville, TN is 10.3% 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 Knoxville, TN earns more than $49,720 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,660 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 $47,630 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 280 jobs in this occupation in Knoxville, 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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