Production Occupations in Tennessee, May 2024
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 state estimates. BLS sorts every occupation into one of 22 major groups; this is the Production Occupations group in Tennessee. These are estimates of jobs and wages, not job openings.
The group’s own figures in Tennessee
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Occupation group code | 51-0000 |
| Employment | 265,810 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 81.179 |
| Location quotient | 1.43 |
| Mean annual wage | $46,450 |
| Median annual wage | $43,930 |
| Mean hourly wage | $22.33 |
| Median hourly wage | $21.12 |
| 10th percentile annual wage | $31,260 |
| 25th percentile annual wage | $36,580 |
| 75th percentile annual wage | $51,470 |
| 90th percentile annual wage | $65,580 |
Detailed occupations in this group in Tennessee
Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this group in Tennessee, sorted by employment. Rows where BLS publishes no employment estimate (**) come last. Click a column heading to sort. A cell that reads “not published annually” or “not published hourly” means BLS publishes that row on the other basis only. A cell showing * or # is BLS’s own footnote symbol, explained below the table. Each row is that occupation’s own BLS record for Tennessee.
| Occupation | Employment | Median annual wage | Mean annual wage | 10th percentile annual wage | 90th percentile annual wage | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 59,290 | $42,680 | $44,100 | $31,980 | $60,380 | $20.52 |
| Production Workers, All Other | 24,870 | $38,210 | $41,130 | $30,240 | $53,330 | $18.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | 18,810 | $63,140 | $69,350 | $42,060 | $102,390 | $30.36 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | 17,530 | $44,860 | $47,930 | $33,360 | $67,110 | $21.57 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 12,610 | $47,280 | $49,420 | $37,440 | $63,380 | $22.73 |
| Machinists | 7,730 | $48,610 | $51,850 | $36,050 | $67,780 | $23.37 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | 7,600 | $45,530 | $46,510 | $32,940 | $60,770 | $21.89 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 5,910 | $44,080 | $42,910 | $32,660 | $52,400 | $21.19 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 5,690 | $48,780 | $49,510 | $36,260 | $63,220 | $23.45 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | 5,650 | $32,320 | $32,280 | $27,140 | $36,700 | $15.54 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | 5,290 | $37,340 | $39,160 | $32,250 | $48,990 | $17.95 |
| Bakers | 4,290 | $33,280 | $34,530 | $23,920 | $45,590 | $16 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | 4,170 | $59,090 | $59,680 | $37,670 | $85,350 | $28.41 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 3,790 | $43,660 | $44,030 | $31,600 | $56,430 | $20.99 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 3,720 | $42,670 | $43,070 | $35,320 | $51,110 | $20.51 |
| Printing Press Operators | 3,590 | $41,170 | $43,270 | $30,620 | $58,090 | $19.8 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 3,130 | $48,060 | $48,720 | $36,050 | $63,650 | $23.11 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 3,090 | $38,090 | $40,730 | $30,970 | $50,880 | $18.31 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | 3,090 | $50,760 | $53,490 | $37,330 | $73,780 | $24.4 |
| Sewing Machine Operators | 2,960 | $32,250 | $32,510 | $18,560 | $44,920 | $15.51 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | 2,670 | $37,490 | $37,050 | $29,250 | $43,540 | $18.02 |
| Food Batchmakers | 2,490 | $39,020 | $41,520 | $28,610 | $54,120 | $18.76 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | 2,460 | $42,030 | $42,580 | $31,100 | $50,130 | $20.21 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | 2,380 | $47,910 | $48,150 | $36,120 | $59,980 | $23.04 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2,350 | $45,910 | $44,180 | $27,280 | $59,440 | $22.07 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | 2,280 | $37,630 | $37,920 | $23,670 | $47,620 | $18.09 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | 2,250 | $34,340 | $35,640 | $29,390 | $45,640 | $16.51 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | 2,210 | $48,710 | $52,820 | $36,750 | $66,490 | $23.42 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2,180 | $45,560 | $46,270 | $36,070 | $58,690 | $21.91 |
| Tool and Die Makers | 2,180 | $60,690 | $60,040 | $42,990 | $77,040 | $29.18 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1,980 | $45,600 | $44,860 | $35,940 | $50,480 | $21.92 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | 1,730 | $45,040 | $44,590 | $29,300 | $54,280 | $21.65 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | 1,640 | $40,040 | $42,320 | $33,610 | $55,810 | $19.25 |
| Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | 1,480 | $45,080 | $46,690 | $36,630 | $58,880 | $21.67 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1,460 | $41,600 | $43,880 | $35,840 | $57,250 | $20 |
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | 1,460 | $34,410 | $37,600 | $31,300 | $47,260 | $16.54 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | 1,300 | $41,600 | $43,590 | $31,370 | $55,590 | $20 |
| Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 1,280 | $43,930 | $44,760 | $36,900 | $54,080 | $21.12 |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 1,210 | $47,340 | $49,530 | $35,280 | $69,610 | $22.76 |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | 1,190 | $49,810 | $54,140 | $38,380 | $73,100 | $23.95 |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | 1,130 | $36,950 | $37,930 | $27,350 | $47,710 | $17.77 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | 1,120 | $35,620 | $37,790 | $29,440 | $52,050 | $17.13 |
| Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 1,060 | $46,400 | $44,720 | $32,080 | $50,220 | $22.31 |
| Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 1,060 | $45,200 | $42,750 | $29,110 | $54,950 | $21.73 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 970 | $43,720 | $42,520 | $31,600 | $51,070 | $21.02 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | 930 | $39,570 | $42,860 | $34,950 | $52,460 | $19.02 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 920 | $45,380 | $45,040 | $34,470 | $53,350 | $21.82 |
| Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators | 780 | $49,260 | $47,050 | $36,520 | $55,610 | $23.69 |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | 770 | $43,970 | $49,330 | $30,430 | $77,700 | $21.14 |
| Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 750 | $46,590 | $44,610 | $35,730 | $46,590 | $22.4 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | 700 | $45,070 | $45,590 | $37,610 | $55,480 | $21.67 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | 690 | $46,560 | $45,960 | $31,720 | $59,650 | $22.39 |
| Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 660 | $36,000 | $39,970 | $30,710 | $58,180 | $17.31 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | 660 | $35,430 | $36,100 | $29,920 | $46,020 | $17.04 |
| Woodworkers, All Other | 660 | $33,330 | $34,900 | $29,290 | $44,190 | $16.02 |
| Furniture Finishers | 570 | $31,170 | $34,440 | $31,150 | $46,930 | $14.99 |
| Power Plant Operators | 550 | $107,380 | $99,520 | $65,930 | $117,120 | $51.63 |
| Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders | 530 | $43,880 | $44,640 | $37,700 | $53,470 | $21.1 |
| Foundry Mold and Coremakers | 520 | $43,150 | $39,010 | $20,670 | $48,190 | $20.75 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | 450 | $48,330 | $49,900 | $30,450 | $74,440 | $23.24 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | 430 | $54,250 | $54,710 | $23,820 | $84,790 | $26.08 |
| Upholsterers | 420 | $40,380 | $40,230 | $28,590 | $50,630 | $19.41 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | 410 | $31,520 | $33,000 | $24,370 | $44,210 | $15.15 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 410 | $32,500 | $35,300 | $28,290 | $46,390 | $15.63 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | 400 | $35,300 | $38,280 | $28,870 | $50,130 | $16.97 |
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | 380 | $44,380 | $42,770 | $30,330 | $49,890 | $21.34 |
| Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers | 380 | $35,620 | $34,510 | $18,890 | $50,620 | $17.12 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | 380 | $50,790 | $43,900 | $31,200 | $50,940 | $24.42 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | 370 | $45,060 | $46,350 | $35,580 | $56,010 | $21.66 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 370 | $38,500 | $37,570 | $29,140 | $44,350 | $18.51 |
| Gas Plant Operators | 340 | $64,670 | $72,580 | $49,860 | $96,590 | $31.09 |
| Medical Appliance Technicians | 330 | $52,130 | $54,610 | $26,240 | $80,920 | $25.06 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 330 | $35,090 | $36,490 | $29,370 | $45,250 | $16.87 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers | 310 | $67,090 | $70,340 | $49,450 | $101,530 | $32.25 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | 260 | $66,140 | $64,880 | $43,620 | $80,220 | $31.8 |
| Etchers and Engravers | 260 | $46,040 | $45,090 | $32,900 | $59,350 | $22.14 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | 250 | $36,260 | $36,190 | $29,810 | $42,300 | $17.43 |
| Tire Builders | 250 | $43,110 | $42,640 | $36,640 | $48,680 | $20.73 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | 230 | $34,510 | $35,300 | $23,660 | $50,540 | $16.59 |
| Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | 200 | $30,400 | $31,720 | $19,380 | $48,860 | $14.61 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians | 200 | $36,610 | $41,430 | $31,830 | $64,480 | $17.6 |
| Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 180 | $38,170 | $46,340 | $32,060 | $77,060 | $18.35 |
| Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | 160 | $36,560 | $37,930 | $30,640 | $49,460 | $17.58 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | 160 | $84,340 | $84,360 | $65,820 | $98,290 | $40.55 |
| Pourers and Casters, Metal | 130 | $47,100 | $53,260 | $36,410 | $70,410 | $22.64 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | 120 | $88,400 | $86,090 | $59,410 | $121,970 | $42.5 |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | 100 | $39,680 | $40,880 | $32,810 | $48,560 | $19.08 |
| Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators | 100 | $31,370 | $32,750 | $24,240 | $43,490 | $15.08 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | 90 | $63,160 | $66,330 | $44,290 | $94,760 | $30.37 |
| Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | 80 | $45,500 | $51,080 | $40,320 | $66,030 | $21.87 |
| Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | 70 | $35,600 | $42,910 | $33,020 | $72,350 | $17.12 |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders | 60 | $37,160 | $41,770 | $36,090 | $55,650 | $17.86 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | 50 | $59,070 | $56,030 | $31,200 | $79,380 | $28.4 |
| Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | 40 | $38,680 | $40,090 | $35,600 | $45,790 | $18.6 |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 30 | $50,400 | $49,130 | $40,860 | $64,010 | $24.23 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | ** | $45,870 | $49,510 | $40,140 | $68,210 | $22.05 |
Symbols (BLS wording, workbook sheet Field Descriptions sheet): ** indicates that an employment estimate is not available · * indicates that a wage estimate is not available · # indicates a wage equal to or greater than $115.00 per hour or $239,200 per year. A wage shown as a symbol is not zero and not a blank: BLS publishes no number there.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 state estimates. Record: state_M2024_dl.xlsx!AREA=47&OCC_CODE=51-0000. the group row is AREA 47 / OCC_CODE 51-0000, and each table row is its own detailed record for this area, AREA 47 / OCC_CODE 51-xxxx. Reference period: May 2024. Fetched October 2026 from https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24st.zip.