Machinists Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $50,730 -9.7% vs national
Median hourly $24.39
10th percentile $37,630
90th percentile $67,470
Employed locally 660
National median $56,150

Compare Machinists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chattanooga, TN-GA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Machinists
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,630
    25th
    $44,940
    50th (median)
    $50,730
    75th
    $60,730
    90th
    $67,470

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Machinists salary vs area income 74% Median Machinists salary is 26% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Machinists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $101,810
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $85,530
    Bloomington, IL $81,240
    Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL $80,150
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $78,580
    Barnstable Town, MA $77,650

    Nearby metros — Machinists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $58,150
    Clarksville, TN-KY $57,270
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $55,610
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $49,280
    Knoxville, TN $47,840
    Johnson City, TN $47,170

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,440
    Production Workers, All Other $41,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $62,030
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $48,440
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $44,920
    Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $50,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Machinists make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Machinists in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $24.39, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.59 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Machinists salaries?

    The median Machinists salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 9.7% below the national median of $56,150. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Machinists in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Machinists (10th percentile) earn around $37,630 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,940.