Machinist salary in Tennessee
Machinists in Tennessee earn a median of $49,600 a year ($23.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,430 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $58,750. Tennessee ranks 50th of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 2.5 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| 25th percentile | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| Median | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| 75th percentile | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,430 | $33.86 |
| Average (mean) | $53,180 | $25.57 |
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 | $4,133.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,066.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,907.69 |
| Weekly | $953.85 |
| Hourly | $23.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,220 | 1,050 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $57,890 | 450 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $57,820 | 360 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $51,540 | 730 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $51,430 | 1,640 |
| Knoxville, TN | $49,900 | 1,470 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for machinists in Tennessee is $49,600 a year, or $23.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of machinists in Tennessee earn at least $70,430 a year. The top 25% earn $61,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,560 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $43,200 or less.
How many machinists work in Tennessee?
About 8,270 machinists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.