Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Tennessee
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee earn a median of $43,810 a year ($21.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,200 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $49,030. Tennessee ranks 25th of 32 states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay. There are 0.35 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| 25th percentile | $39,090 | $18.79 |
| Median | $43,810 | $21.06 |
| 75th percentile | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,200 | $28.46 |
| Average (mean) | $44,810 | $21.54 |
Half of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 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 | $3,650.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,825.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,685 |
| Weekly | $842.50 |
| Hourly | $21.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $44,860 | 50 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,460 | 240 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $40,990 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $69,210 |
| Oklahoma | $61,720 |
| Michigan | $61,620 |
| Nebraska | $60,460 |
| Wisconsin | $60,310 |
| California | $59,250 |
| Colorado | $57,970 |
| Ohio | $56,870 |
| New York | $56,350 |
| Missouri | $55,210 |
See Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in every state.
Related jobs in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4022. 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 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Tennessee?
The median salary for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Tennessee is $43,810 a year, or $21.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Tennessee earn at least $59,200 a year. The top 25% earn $46,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,140 a year, and a quarter of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $39,090 or less.
How many forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Tennessee?
About 1,140 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.