Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators salary in Knoxville, TN
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $58,470 a year ($28.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,030 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $58,470. Pay here is 4% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $56,390. There are 1.1 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| 25th percentile | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Median | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| 75th percentile | $67,790 | $32.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,030 | $36.07 |
| Average (mean) | $58,850 | $28.29 |
Half of postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators 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 | $4,872.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,436.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,248.85 |
| Weekly | $1,124.42 |
| Hourly | $28.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $58,390 | 200 |
| Johnson City, TN | $56,390 | 70 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $55,660 | 800 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $54,330 | 1,260 |
Highest-paying states for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $66,750 |
| South Dakota | $61,570 |
| Iowa | $60,530 |
| New Jersey | $60,530 |
| Wyoming | $60,530 |
| North Dakota | $59,840 |
| Minnesota | $59,740 |
| California | $59,490 |
| Hawaii | $59,490 |
| Maine | $59,490 |
See Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,320 | $21.79 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $50,870 | $24.46 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $58,910 | $28.32 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $42,610 | $20.49 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $49,290 | $23.70 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $42,160 | $20.27 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,840 | $18.67 |
| Office Clerks, General | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $63,580 | $30.57 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-5053. 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 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $58,470 a year, or $28.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $75,030 a year. The top 25% earn $67,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,600 a year, and a quarter of postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators earn $49,050 or less.
How many postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators work in Knoxville, TN?
About 480 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.