Helpers--Production Workers salary in Tennessee
Helpers--Production Workers in Tennessee earn a median of $38,330 a year ($18.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,120 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $39,070. Tennessee ranks 35th of 49 states for Helpers--Production workers pay. There are 1.6 Helpers--Production workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Helpers--Production workers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,280 | $14.56 |
| 25th percentile | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| Median | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| 75th percentile | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,120 | $24.58 |
| Average (mean) | $40,090 | $19.27 |
Half of Helpers--Production workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,194.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,597.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,474.23 |
| Weekly | $737.12 |
| Hourly | $18.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Helpers--Production Workers salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TN | $41,340 | 270 |
| Knoxville, TN | $41,330 | 470 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $39,630 | 430 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,240 | 480 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $38,490 | 1,200 |
| Cleveland, TN | $38,170 | 60 |
| Morristown, TN | $37,700 | 460 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $37,490 | 360 |
| Johnson City, TN | $37,120 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,820 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Production workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 |
| Montana | $46,110 |
| Iowa | $45,560 |
| Colorado | $45,550 |
| Washington | $45,450 |
| Oregon | $45,390 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,190 | $20.77 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $41,970 | $20.18 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,470 | $24.26 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Tire Builder | $74,100 | $35.63 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $45,860 | $22.05 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9198. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Helpers--Production workers make in Tennessee?
The median salary for Helpers--Production workers in Tennessee is $38,330 a year, or $18.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Production workers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of Helpers--Production workers in Tennessee earn at least $51,120 a year. The top 25% earn $45,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Production workers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,280 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Production workers earn $35,190 or less.
How many Helpers--Production workers work in Tennessee?
About 5,270 Helpers--Production workers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.