Kentucky Median
$29,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $36,670
State Rank
#49 of 50
2,750 employed here
How much does a Sewing Machine Operator make in Kentucky?
Sewing Machine Operators in Kentucky take home a median of $29,460 annually — roughly $14.16 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $36,670.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $22,350 while the top 10% make $39,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $24,070 and $36,170 a year.
Sewing Machine Operator salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,350 | $10.75 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $24,070 | $11.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $29,460 | $14.16 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $36,170 | $17.39 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,880 | $19.17 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 49th 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 $38,250California $37,940Connecticut $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 $29,600West Virginia $29,320
Working as a Sewing Machine Operator in Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($29,460) 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 Kentucky?
The median Sewing Machine Operator salary in Kentucky is $29,460 per year, or about $14.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,350 at the entry level to $39,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Sewing Machine Operators about 20% less than the national median of $36,670. Kentucky ranks 49th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Sewing Machine Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $29,460 a year. About 2,750 Sewing Machine Operators are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.