Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
In Chattanooga, TN-GA, textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $39,540 at the median — $19.01 an hour. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $45K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.46), which stretches that salary to about $43,232 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,390/month — about 48.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $40K get you in Chattanooga?
About textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chattanooga, TN-GA
Entry-level textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $40K.Top earners bring in $45K or more - a $16K spread from bottom to top.
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $46K | +21% | 290 |
| Connecticut | $43K | +12% | 60 |
| Minnesota | $42K | +10% | 90 |
| Georgia | $41K | +8% | 1,380 |
| South Carolina | $41K | +7% | 440 |
| New Hampshire | $40K | +6% | 80 |
| Washington | $40K | +6% | 140 |
| New Jersey | $39K | +3% | 260 |
| North Carolina | $39K | +2% | 980 |
| Oregon | $39K | +2% | 130 |
| Ohio | $39K | +2% | 190 |
| Tennessee | $39K | +1% | 370 |
| California | $38K | +1% | 880 |
| Mississippi | $38K | +1% | 410 |
| Illinois | $38K | -0% | 230 |
Track textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chattanooga numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median is $39,540 a year - that works out to about $19.01 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $28,790, and experienced textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders can clear $44,830. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $40K enough to live in Chattanooga?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,818/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,390/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 49.3% 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 textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders salary go in Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has a Regional Price Parity of 91.46 (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 textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders salary is worth about $43,232 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders 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.