California Median
$37,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $36,670
State Rank
#19 of 50
13,240 employed here
How much does a Sewing Machine Operator make in California?
A Sewing Machine Operator working in California earns a median salary of $37,940 per year, or about $18.24 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $36,670 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $34,950 while the top 10% make $49,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,380 and $44,280 a year.
Sewing Machine Operator salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,950 | $16.80 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,380 | $17.49 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,940 | $18.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $44,280 | $21.29 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,040 | $23.58 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 19th out of 50 states and territories for Sewing Machine Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Sewing Machine Operator salary in other states
Nevada $45,750Alaska $43,850Colorado $43,840Maine $43,520Washington $43,360Massachusetts $42,910New Hampshire $41,740Vermont $40,850Wisconsin $40,370Arizona $40,210Oregon $39,780Hawaii $39,230South Dakota $39,000Minnesota $38,930Rhode Island $38,670New York $38,480Indiana $38,440South Carolina $38,250Connecticut $37,780Delaware $37,690Mississippi $37,600Michigan $37,490Idaho $37,160Nebraska $37,060Montana $36,740Wyoming $36,510Illinois $36,220New Jersey $36,130Iowa $35,870Maryland $35,860Virginia $35,790Ohio $35,760North Dakota $35,700Pennsylvania $35,640Arkansas $35,630Missouri $35,610Utah $35,550Kansas $35,360North Carolina $35,160New Mexico $34,840Georgia $34,790Tennessee $34,220Oklahoma $33,340Florida $33,270Texas $31,000Alabama $30,830Louisiana $29,600Kentucky $29,460West Virginia $29,320
Working as a Sewing Machine Operator in California
Nationally, about 105,000 people work as Sewing Machine Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($37,940) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Sewing Machine Operator make in California?
The median Sewing Machine Operator salary in California is $37,940 per year, or about $18.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,950 at the entry level to $49,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Sewing Machine Operators about 3% more than the national median of $36,670. California ranks 19th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Sewing Machine Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $37,940 a year. About 13,240 Sewing Machine Operators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Sewing Machine Operator salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.