Machinist salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Machinists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $59,220 a year ($28.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,340 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 19% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,600. There are 1.7 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,390, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| 25th percentile | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| Median | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| 75th percentile | $65,490 | $31.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,340 | $35.74 |
| Average (mean) | $58,390 | $28.07 |
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 | $4,935 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,467.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,277.69 |
| Weekly | $1,138.85 |
| Hourly | $28.47 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $63,330 | 420 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $57,890 | 450 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $57,820 | 360 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $56,460 | 270 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $54,930 | 340 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $52,170 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $51,540 | 730 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $51,430 | 1,640 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $51,220 | 80 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $50,560 | 230 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $50,560 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $49,900 | 1,470 |
| Jackson, MS | $49,850 | 230 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $49,310 | 140 |
| Jackson, TN | $48,340 | 240 |
| 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for machinists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $59,220 a year, or $28.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of machinists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $74,340 a year. The top 25% earn $65,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,630 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $48,600 or less.
How many machinists work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 1,050 machinists are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.