SOC 51-7042 · Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing Salary in Memphis, TN

The average salary for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Memphis, Tennessee is $37,600 a year ($18.08 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $36,340: half of the 170 people in this job in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($43,570).

$37,600average per year

$18.08 / hourMedian $36,340Take-home ≈ $32,392

  • $29K10th
  • $34K25th
  • $36KMedian
  • $42K75th
  • $46K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

170people in this job
-14%vs U.S. average
#2 of 5Tennessee metros
92cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing pay range in Memphis

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $28,990 a year or less, while the top 10% make $46,440 or more. The middle half of woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Memphis earn between $33,700 and $41,720.

  • $29K10th
  • $34K25th
  • $36KMedian
  • $42K75th
  • $46K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$37,600$3,133$18.08
Median$36,340$3,028$17.47
Entry level (25th percentile)$33,700$2,808$16.20
Experienced (75th percentile)$41,720$3,477$20.06

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing pay in Memphis vs. Tennessee and the U.S.

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Memphis earn 3% more than the Tennessee average ($36,350) and 14% less than the U.S. average ($43,570). At the median the gap is -16% against the U.S. median of $43,380.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Memphis$37,600$36,340$28,990$46,440170
Tennessee$36,350$35,290$29,330$46,4201,840
United States$43,570$43,380$32,110$56,83061,420

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary after taxes in Memphis

On the average salary of $37,600, a single filer in Memphis takes home about $32,392 a year, or $2,699 a month and $1,246 every two weeks. Taxes take 14% of gross pay.

The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:

StatePer yearPer month
Working in TN$32,392$2,699
Working in MS$31,620$2,635
Working in AR$31,488$2,624

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.

Tennessee paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Memphis a good place for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Memphis area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $37,600 buys what about $40,790 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Memphis ($46,890). A typical home costs $247,229, or 6.6 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $37,600 is worth in another city

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary in other Tennessee cities

Memphis ranks 2nd of 5 Tennessee metro areas for this job; Nashville pays the most ($39,950).

All Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salaries in Tennessee

Highest-paying cities for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing)

Longview, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($57,100).

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary by city

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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary in Memphis: questions

How much do woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) make an hour in Memphis?

$18.08 an hour on average, and $17.47 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) salary in Memphis?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $28,990 a year and the 25th percentile is $33,700, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) take-home pay in Memphis?

About $32,392 a year ($2,699 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $37,600. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Do woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) earn more in Memphis than elsewhere?

The average here is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($43,570).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-7042; area Memphis, TN-MS-AR (32820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.3%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.69, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.69).

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