Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $37,550 a year ($18.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,210 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $43,220. Pay here is 13% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $43,190. There are 2.7 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Median | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| 75th percentile | $47,330 | $22.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,210 | $27.02 |
| Average (mean) | $42,220 | $20.30 |
Half of packaging and filling machine 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 | $3,129.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,564.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,444.23 |
| Weekly | $722.12 |
| Hourly | $18.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | $49,090 | 150 |
| Rome, GA | $47,260 | 140 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $46,550 | 380 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $45,380 | 2,140 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $45,080 | 310 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $43,660 | 130 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $42,570 | 1,580 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $42,320 | 4,720 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $41,490 | 270 |
| Gainesville, GA | $40,820 | 1,360 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $40,360 | 170 |
| Jackson, TN | $39,890 | 220 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $38,520 | 110 |
| Morristown, TN | $38,310 | 410 |
| Knoxville, TN | $37,490 | 520 |
| Valdosta, GA | $36,500 | 160 |
| Johnson City, TN | $35,390 | 90 |
| Dalton, GA | $34,590 | 110 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $33,680 | 180 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,970 | 220 |
Highest-paying states for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $49,450 |
| Wyoming | $48,890 |
| Missouri | $48,070 |
| Maine | $47,970 |
| North Dakota | $47,390 |
| Idaho | $46,720 |
| Vermont | $46,670 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 |
| Nebraska | $46,220 |
| Wisconsin | $46,220 |
See Packaging and Filling Machine 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 |
| 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 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $41,980 | $20.18 |
| 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 51-9111. 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 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $37,550 a year, or $18.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $56,210 a year. The top 25% earn $47,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders earn $34,230 or less.
How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 720 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.