Machinist salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Machinists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $51,540 a year ($24.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,870 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 4% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,600. There are 2.7 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| 25th percentile | $45,790 | $22.02 |
| Median | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| 75th percentile | $61,540 | $29.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,870 | $33.59 |
| Average (mean) | $54,340 | $26.13 |
Half of machinists 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 | $4,295 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,147.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,982.31 |
| Weekly | $991.15 |
| Hourly | $24.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Warner Robins, GA | $68,060 | 110 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,140 | 370 |
| Rome, GA | $62,220 | 90 |
| Albany, GA | $60,840 | 60 |
| Savannah, GA | $60,680 | 330 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,220 | 1,050 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $57,890 | 450 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $57,820 | 360 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $56,270 | 2,500 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $56,010 | 120 |
| Gainesville, GA | $55,620 | 210 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $51,670 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $51,430 | 1,640 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $50,250 | 120 |
| Knoxville, TN | $49,900 | 1,470 |
| Valdosta, GA | $48,710 | 50 |
| Jackson, TN | $48,340 | 240 |
| Dalton, GA | $48,240 | 120 |
| Morristown, TN | $47,370 | 330 |
| Cleveland, TN | $46,120 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $45,550 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
See Machinist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4041. 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 machinist make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for machinists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $51,540 a year, or $24.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of machinists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $69,870 a year. The top 25% earn $61,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,230 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $45,790 or less.
How many machinists work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 730 machinists are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.