Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Knoxville, TN
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics in Knoxville, TN make a median of $63,760 a year, or about $30.65 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $70K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.57), which stretches that salary to about $68,878 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,471/month — about 33.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $64K get you in Knoxville?
About rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Knoxville, TN
Entry-level rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K.Top earners bring in $70K or more - a $31K spread from bottom to top.
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $64K | +32% | 80 |
| Washington | $62K | +27% | 370 |
| Connecticut | $59K | +22% | 120 |
| Iowa | $56K | +16% | 560 |
| New Hampshire | $55K | +14% | 40 |
| New York | $55K | +13% | 510 |
| West Virginia | $54K | +11% | 540 |
| Minnesota | $53K | +9% | 140 |
| Maryland | $51K | +5% | 290 |
| Indiana | $51K | +5% | 1,390 |
| Alabama | $51K | +5% | 1,490 |
| Wisconsin | $50K | +3% | 300 |
| Vermont | $50K | +2% | 40 |
| Illinois | $49K | +2% | 660 |
| Ohio | $49K | +1% | 1,990 |
Track rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Knoxville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in Knoxville, TN?
The median is $63,760 a year - that works out to about $30.65 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,530, and experienced rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $69,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in Knoxville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,437/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,471/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 33.2% 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 rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary go in Knoxville?
Knoxville has a Regional Price Parity of 92.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $68,878 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do rolling 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.