Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Tennessee
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee earn a median of $38,820 a year ($18.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,730 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,450 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $44,350. Tennessee ranks 46th of 49 states for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay. There are 1.1 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,750 | $14.78 |
| 25th percentile | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Median | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| 75th percentile | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,450 | $27.62 |
| Average (mean) | $41,360 | $19.88 |
Half of molding, coremaking, and casting 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 | $3,235 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,617.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,493.08 |
| Weekly | $746.54 |
| Hourly | $18.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $47,320 | 120 |
| Cleveland, TN | $44,510 | 60 |
| Morristown, TN | $40,090 | 120 |
| Knoxville, TN | $39,400 | 590 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,340 | 180 |
| Johnson City, TN | $38,820 | 240 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,970 | 500 |
| Jackson, TN | $37,400 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,670 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,560 |
| Maryland | $63,460 |
| Maine | $59,230 |
| Minnesota | $49,590 |
| Nevada | $49,590 |
| Nebraska | $48,500 |
| Washington | $48,290 |
| Colorado | $48,200 |
| North Dakota | $47,780 |
| New Hampshire | $47,610 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4072. 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 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Tennessee?
The median salary for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Tennessee is $38,820 a year, or $18.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Tennessee earn at least $57,450 a year. The top 25% earn $46,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,750 a year, and a quarter of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $34,380 or less.
How many molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Tennessee?
About 3,730 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.