Median Salary
$36,670
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$17.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$47,840
entry level starts ~$27,860
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 105,000 employed
How much does a Sewing Machine Operator make?
Sewing Machine Operators in the United States bring home a median salary of $36,670 a year, or around $17.63 an hour. Pay spans a wide range: the bottom 10% earn under $27,860, while the top 10% earn $47,840.
That is $24,720 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Sewing Machine Operator salary range by percentile
Half of all Sewing Machine Operators earn between $31,960 and $42,830 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,860 | $13.39 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,960 | $15.37 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,670 | $17.63 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $42,830 | $20.59 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,840 | $23.00 |
|
Highest-paying states for Sewing Machine Operator
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Nevada leads the country for Sewing Machine Operator pay at $45,750 a year, followed by Alaska ($43,850) and Colorado ($43,840). At the other end, West Virginia posts the lowest median at $29,320 — a gap of $16,430 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Sewing Machine Operator salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 50 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $29,600Kentucky $29,460West Virginia $29,320
Workforce and education
About 105,000 people work as Sewing Machine Operators in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Sewing Machine Operator make in the United States?
The median Sewing Machine Operator salary in the United States is $36,670 per year, or about $17.63 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $27,860, while the top 10% of earners make $47,840 or more.
How does Sewing Machine Operator pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Sewing Machine Operator median of $36,670 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Sewing Machine Operators the most?
Nevada is the highest-paying state for Sewing Machine Operators, with a median salary of $45,750 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Sewing Machine Operator?
Becoming a Sewing Machine Operator typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Sewing Machine Operators work in the United States?
About 105,000 people were employed as Sewing Machine Operators in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.