Salary guide, May 2025
Packaging Operator pay in Knoxville, TN
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The median annual wage for Industrial Machinery Mechanics in Knoxville, TN was $69,140 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $59,690 and $81,700.
The Knoxville, TN median is $4,620 above the national median of $64,520, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Packaging Operator is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about knoxville, TN?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $48,540 | $59,690 | $69,140 | $81,700 | $83,030 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23.34 | $28.70 | $33.24 | $39.28 | $39.92 |
BLS estimated 1,560 workers employed in this occupation in Knoxville, TN. Location quotient: 1.3.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $46,120 | $55,010 | $64,520 | $78,780 | $95,170 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22.17 | $26.45 | $31.02 | $37.88 | $45.76 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Packaging Operator median is $69,140. The all-occupations median in Knoxville, TN is $47,080. Ratio: 1.47 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.3 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $55,310 | $63,810 | $81,020 |
| May 2025 | $59,690 | $69,140 | $81,700 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Knoxville, TN. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Morristown, TN | $60,300 | $50,500 to $74,480 |
| Cleveland, TN | $60,420 | $48,700 to $73,630 |
All roles in Knoxville, TN · National page · Packaging Operator ranked across metros