CDCareer Decision

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Knoxville, TN

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Knoxville, TN have a median annual salary of $51,170, with 740 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $39,600 at the 10th percentile to $63,710 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$51,170

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$24.60

Employment

740

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$39,600
10th
$39,600
25th
$51,170
Median
$63,710
75th
$63,710
90th

Local compared with national

Knoxville, TN

$51,170

Median annual · 2025

United States

$47,720

Median annual · 2025

The Knoxville, TN median is 7.2% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $3,450).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.9
  2. 2.Operation and ControlImportance 3.8
  3. 3.MonitoringImportance 3.3
  4. 4.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.1
  5. 5.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  6. 6.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  7. 7.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.0
  9. 9.TroubleshootingImportance 3.0
  10. 10.RepairingImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Active ListeningImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Enterprise application integration EAI software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Operational databases
  • SAP software

Common tasks

  • Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.
  • Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.
  • Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.
  • Troubleshoot, maintain, and make minor repairs to equipment.
  • Change dies on extruding machines, according to production line changes.
  • Load machine hoppers with mixed materials, using augers, or stuff rolls of plastic dough into machine cylinders.
  • Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.
  • Operate shearing mechanisms to cut rods to specified lengths.
  • Maintain an inventory of materials.
  • Clean work areas.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other locations

Other occupations in Knoxville, TN