Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $41,980 a year ($20.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,720 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $46,570. Pay here is 5% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $44,030. There are 0.34 cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| 25th percentile | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| Median | $41,980 | $20.18 |
| 75th percentile | $50,000 | $24.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Average (mean) | $44,360 | $21.33 |
Half of cutting and slicing machine setters, 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 | $3,498.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,749.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,614.62 |
| Weekly | $807.31 |
| Hourly | $20.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $51,490 | 110 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,890 | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $46,280 | 30 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $45,790 | 540 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,320 | 310 |
| Knoxville, TN | $41,920 | 150 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $38,440 | 70 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $36,530 | 60 |
| Dalton, GA | $33,210 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $58,260 |
| Vermont | $52,220 |
| Colorado | $51,750 |
| Montana | $51,540 |
| Oregon | $51,180 |
| Missouri | $50,930 |
| Washington | $50,430 |
| New Hampshire | $50,290 |
| Illinois | $49,740 |
| New York | $49,680 |
See Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Production Workers, All Other | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,000 | $24.04 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $44,030 | $21.17 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9032. 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 cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $41,980 a year, or $20.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $60,720 a year. The top 25% earn $50,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,030 a year, and a quarter of cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $38,520 or less.
How many cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 90 cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.