Sewing Machine Operator Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Sewing Machine Operators in Pennsylvania, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$35,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $36,670
State Rank
#35 of 50
3,390 employed here

How much does a Sewing Machine Operator make in Pennsylvania?

Sewing Machine Operators in Pennsylvania take home a median of $35,640 annually — roughly $17.13 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $36,670.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $28,340 while the top 10% make $45,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,850 and $39,640 a year.

Sewing Machine Operator salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$28,340$13.63
25th percentile (early career)$30,850$14.83
50th percentile (median)$35,640$17.13
75th percentile (experienced)$39,640$19.06
90th percentile (top earners)$45,510$21.88

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 35th out of 50 states and territories for Sewing Machine Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Nevada$45,750
2Alaska$43,850
3Colorado$43,840
4Maine$43,520
5Washington$43,360

Working as a Sewing Machine Operator in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($35,640) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Sewing Machine Operator salary in Pennsylvania is $35,640 per year, or about $17.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,340 at the entry level to $45,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Sewing Machine Operators about 3% less than the national median of $36,670. Pennsylvania ranks 35th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Sewing Machine Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,640 a year. About 3,390 Sewing Machine Operators are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.