Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $50,330 a year ($24.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,670 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $50,270. Pay here is 7% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $46,920. There are 1.2 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| 25th percentile | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Median | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| 75th percentile | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Average (mean) | $51,480 | $24.75 |
Half of paper goods 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 | $4,194.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,097.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,935.77 |
| Weekly | $967.88 |
| Hourly | $24.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $51,140 | 470 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $48,150 | 1,690 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,650 | 530 |
| Knoxville, TN | $46,920 | 480 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $46,910 | 730 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,150 | 160 |
| Jackson, TN | $45,900 | 420 |
| Morristown, TN | $36,330 | 60 |
| Dalton, GA | $35,560 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $63,640 |
| Maine | $61,780 |
| Utah | $60,790 |
| Washington | $59,410 |
| Louisiana | $58,230 |
| Minnesota | $58,150 |
| Kentucky | $58,050 |
| Wisconsin | $58,050 |
| Idaho | $57,950 |
| Oregon | $56,810 |
See Paper Goods 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 |
| 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 51-9196. 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 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $50,330 a year, or $24.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $60,670 a year. The top 25% earn $59,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,890 a year, and a quarter of paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $48,110 or less.
How many paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 320 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.