Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Tennessee
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Tennessee earn a median of $60,960 a year ($29.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,310 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $58,040. Tennessee ranks 13th of 47 states for chemical equipment operators and tenders pay. There are 1.2 chemical equipment operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,020, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| 25th percentile | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| Median | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| 75th percentile | $74,310 | $35.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,310 | $35.73 |
| Average (mean) | $57,020 | $27.41 |
Half of chemical equipment operators and tenders 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 | $5,080 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,540 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,344.62 |
| Weekly | $1,172.31 |
| Hourly | $29.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $63,370 | 60 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $52,440 | 510 |
| Morristown, TN | $48,420 | 100 |
| Knoxville, TN | $46,880 | 190 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $46,530 | 300 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $45,300 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for chemical equipment operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $101,590 |
| Alabama | $80,330 |
| Montana | $79,570 |
| Louisiana | $78,580 |
| Idaho | $77,100 |
| Rhode Island | $69,630 |
| Washington | $67,300 |
| West Virginia | $66,060 |
| Arkansas | $64,440 |
| Mississippi | $64,360 |
See Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders pay in every state.
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,190 | $20.77 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $41,970 | $20.18 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,470 | $24.26 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Tire Builder | $74,100 | $35.63 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $45,860 | $22.05 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9011. 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 chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Tennessee?
The median salary for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Tennessee is $60,960 a year, or $29.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of chemical equipment operators and tenders in Tennessee earn at least $74,310 a year. The top 25% earn $74,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,010 a year, and a quarter of chemical equipment operators and tenders earn $44,910 or less.
How many chemical equipment operators and tenders work in Tennessee?
About 3,860 chemical equipment operators and tenders are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.