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Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Tennessee

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics in Tennessee make a median of $36,000 a year, or about $17.31 an hour. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $58K for experienced workers.

Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:

$36K
Median annual
$17.31/hr
Hourly rate
$31K
Entry level (10th %)
$58K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $36K get you in Tennessee?

Estimated monthly take-home$2,580/mo
Median 2BR rent-$1,215/mo
Rent as % of take-home47.1% (above 30% guideline)
Cost-of-living adjusted salary$40,098/yr
Monthly remaining after rent$1,365/mo

About forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics

Education: High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employed: 8,760
Tennessee employed: 660
Category: Production & Manufacturing

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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee

Bar chart showing Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary percentiles in Tennessee: 10th percentile $30,710, 25th percentile $33,480, median $36,000, 75th percentile $44,520, 90th percentile $58,180. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$31K25th$33KMedian$36K75th$45K90th$58K
Bar chart showing Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary percentiles in Tennessee: 10th percentile $30,710, 25th percentile $33,480, median $36,000, 75th percentile $44,520, 90th percentile $58,180. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $36K. Top earners bring in $58K or more, a $27K spread from bottom to top.

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Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by metro in Tennessee

3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay

Metro areaMedian salaryvs. stateEmployment
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin$38K+6%110
Johnson City$34K-5%70
Kingsport-Bristol$30K-16%80

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Track forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary changes

BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in Tennessee?

The median is $36,000 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,710, and experienced forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $58,180. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $36K enough to live in Tennessee?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,580/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 47.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.

How far does a forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary go in Tennessee?

Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $40,098 in national-average purchasing power.

Where do forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics get paid the most?

The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.

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