Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $37,610 -12% vs national
Median hourly $18.08
10th percentile $37,610
90th percentile $46,620
Employed locally 260
National median $42,730

Compare Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,610
    25th
    $37,610
    50th (median)
    $37,610
    75th
    $46,620
    90th
    $46,620

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 54% Median Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary is 46% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $66,110
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $64,670
    Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $60,350
    Colorado $59,990
    Appleton, WI $56,230
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $54,540

    Nearby metros — Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $49,410

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,120
    Production Workers, All Other $39,520
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $62,220
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $46,440
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $47,370
    Machinists $47,840

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Knoxville, TN is $18.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.83 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Knoxville, TN is 12% below the national median of $42,730. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Knoxville?

    Entry-level Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $37,610 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,610.