Machinists Salary in Knoxville, TN

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

Median annual salary $47,840 -14.8% vs national
Median hourly $23.00
10th percentile $36,920
90th percentile $64,660
Employed locally 1,210
National median $56,150

Compare Machinists salary & buying power

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Machinists
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Knoxville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,920
    25th
    $46,650
    50th (median)
    $47,840
    75th
    $59,940
    90th
    $64,660

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Machinists salary vs area income 69% Median Machinists salary is 31% 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
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $50,730
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $49,280
    Johnson City, TN $47,170

    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
    Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,130

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Machinists make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Machinists in Knoxville, TN is $23.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.86 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Machinists salaries?

    The median Machinists salary in Knoxville, TN is 14.8% 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Machinists (10th percentile) earn around $36,920 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,650.