Machinist salary in Tennessee
Median $23.85 an hour for 8,270 machinists, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
Machinist pay in Tennessee: the full range
Tennessee ranks 50th of 51 states for median machinist pay, and 48th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $25.95). 8,270 machinists work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $18.06 – $20.77 | $37,560 – $43,200 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $20.77 – $29.43 | $43,200 – $61,220 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $29.43 – $33.86 | $61,220 – $70,430 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Machinist pay by metro in Tennessee
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $19.05 | $28.47 | $35.74 | 1,050 | 19% above |
| Kingsport | $17.30 | $27.83 | $36.54 | 450 | 17% above |
| Clarksville | $18.31 | $27.80 | $37.32 | 360 | 17% above |
| Chattanooga | $17.90 | $24.78 | $33.59 | 730 | 4% above |
| Nashville | $19.26 | $24.72 | $34.60 | 1,640 | 4% above |
| Knoxville | $17.63 | $23.99 | $31.86 | 1,470 | 1% above |
| Jackson | $16.28 | $23.24 | $31.83 | 240 | 3% below |
| Morristown | $16.33 | $22.77 | $31.69 | 330 | 5% below |
| Cleveland | $17.26 | $22.18 | $29.68 | 50 | 7% below |
| Johnson City | $17.33 | $21.90 | $28.81 | 180 | 8% below |
Machinist wages in Tennessee over time
Table
| Year | Tennessee $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $14.09 | $27.23 | $14.30 | 8,670 |
| 2000 | $15.05 | $28.14 | $14.78 | 10,510 |
| 2001 | $14.95 | $27.18 | $15.43 | 8,740 |
| 2002 | $14.96 | $26.77 | $15.66 | 8,760 |
| 2003 | $14.71 | $25.74 | $15.91 | 9,030 |
| 2004 | $15.20 | $25.91 | $16.33 | 9,580 |
| 2005 | $14.96 | $24.66 | $16.51 | 11,610 |
| 2006 | $15.81 | $25.25 | $16.71 | 11,410 |
| 2007 | $17.12 | $26.58 | $16.94 | 11,600 |
| 2008 | $18.84 | $28.17 | $17.41 | 11,690 |
| 2009 | $19.23 | $28.86 | $18.10 | 9,990 |
| 2010 | $17.11 | $25.26 | $18.52 | 7,650 |
| 2011 | $17.90 | $25.62 | $18.86 | 7,530 |
| 2012 | $18.61 | $26.10 | $18.99 | 7,890 |
| 2013 | $19.04 | $26.31 | $19.03 | 8,440 |
| 2014 | $18.62 | $25.32 | $19.22 | 7,640 |
| 2015 | $18.33 | $24.90 | $19.49 | 8,200 |
| 2016 | $19.09 | $25.61 | $20.05 | 7,580 |
| 2017 | $19.45 | $25.55 | $20.48 | 6,730 |
| 2018 | $20.73 | $26.58 | $20.97 | 7,690 |
| 2019 | $20.73 | $26.10 | $21.36 | 9,460 |
| 2020 | $21.11 | $26.26 | $22.04 | 8,910 |
| 2021 | $22.42 | $26.64 | $22.95 | 8,070 |
| 2022 | $22.66 | $24.93 | $23.32 | 8,920 |
| 2023 | $22.54 | $23.82 | $24.44 | 9,160 |
| 2024 | $23.37 | $23.98 | $27.00 | 7,730 |
| 2025 | $23.85 | $23.85 | $28.24 | 8,270 |
In today's dollars, the median machinist wage in Tennessee changed by -4.2% over the last ten years of data.
Is construction work growing in Tennessee?
Keep comparing
Machinist pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Tennessee
Questions this page answers
How much do machinists make in Tennessee?
The median machinist in Tennessee earned $23.85 an hour ($49,600 a year) in May 2025, 16% below the national median of $28.24. The middle half earn $20.77–$29.43; the top 10% earn more than $33.86.
Where does Tennessee rank for machinist pay?
Tennessee ranks 50th of 51 states for machinist pay, with a median of $23.85 an hour, and 48th after adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (BEA price parity 91.9, US = 100).
What is the union machinist rate in Tennessee?
Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a machinist classification for most Tennessee counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.
How many machinists work in Tennessee?
BLS counted 8,270 machinists in Tennessee in May 2025, 2.5 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.37; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Tennessee and metro areas, SOC 51-4041.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.