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Maintenance Workers, Machinery Salary in Tennessee: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Maintenance Workers, Machinery salary really buy you in Tennessee?

Tennessee is 8.2% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$64,790
Median annual (2025)
+8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$70,577
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.8)

Tennessee Cost of Living Index

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Maintenance Workers, Machinery earning $64,790 in Tennessee has the equivalent purchasing power of $70,577 in an average-cost US state.

TN: 91.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $43,510 $47,396 +$3,886
25th Percentile (P25) $52,000 $56,644 +$4,644
Median (P50) $64,790 $70,577 +$5,787
75th Percentile (P75) $72,010 $78,442 +$6,432
90th Percentile (P90) $83,480 $90,936 +$7,456
Key Insight

A Maintenance Workers, Machinery in Tennessee earns $64,790 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $70,577 in an average-cost state. This makes Tennessee one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Tennessee Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.8

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Maintenance Workers, Machinery, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.9%

After applying Tennessee's RPP, the $64,790 median salary translates to $70,577 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Maintenance Workers, Machinery.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Tennessee

#6 / 46

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Maintenance Workers, Machinery, Tennessee places #6 of 46 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Maintenance Workers, Machinery (After Cost of Living)

Where does Maintenance Workers, Machinery salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Wyoming
$92,078
RPP 91.9
$85,805
RPP 89.4
3. Nevada
$78,319
RPP 96.4
4. Iowa
$73,257
RPP 88.4
$71,626
RPP 107.6
$70,577
RPP 91.8
$69,945
RPP 91.1
$69,674
RPP 92.3
$69,348
RPP 93.6
10. Louisiana
$69,139
RPP 90.6

Tennessee ranks #6 out of 46 states for Maintenance Workers, Machinery after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Maintenance Workers, Machinery take-home pay in Tennessee after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Maintenance Workers, Machinery in Tennessee after cost of living?

A Maintenance Workers, Machinery in Tennessee earns a median salary of $64,790 per year. After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $70,577 — a +8.9% difference.

Is Tennessee expensive to live in?

Tennessee's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Tennessee is 91.8 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Maintenance Workers, Machinery in Tennessee: $64,790 x (100 / 91.8) = $70,577. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Maintenance Workers, Machinery in Tennessee financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Maintenance Workers, Machinery in Tennessee enjoys 8.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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