Sewing Machine Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Sewing Machine Operators Make?
Sewing Machine Operators earn a median annual salary of $36,000 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $26,860 at the 10th percentile to $47,060 at the 90th percentile — a range of $20,200. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $42,800.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $26,860 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 |
| Median (50th) | $36,000 |
| 75th percentile | $40,810 |
| 90th percentile | $47,060 |
Sewing Machine Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaskatop | $42,800 |
| Washington | $41,530 |
| New Hampshire | $41,410 |
| Rhode Island | $41,290 |
| Nevada | $40,550 |
| Minnesota | $40,510 |
| Massachusetts | $40,370 |
| Maine | $40,170 |
| Vermont | $39,870 |
| Arizona | $39,240 |
| North Dakota | $39,110 |
| Wisconsin | $38,940 |
| Mississippi | $38,690 |
| Colorado | $38,580 |
| South Dakota | $38,120 |
| Oregon | $37,940 |
| New York | $37,810 |
| Michigan | $37,600 |
| Utah | $37,480 |
| Montana | $37,240 |
| Connecticut | $37,220 |
| Indiana | $37,070 |
| California | $37,010 |
| Iowa | $36,790 |
| Hawaii | $36,500 |
| Nebraska | $36,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,310 |
| Illinois | $35,540 |
| Ohio | $35,400 |
| Maryland | $35,390 |
| Delaware | $35,320 |
| North Carolina | $35,170 |
| New Jersey | $35,080 |
| Missouri | $34,910 |
| Wyoming | $34,840 |
| Kansas | $34,800 |
| South Carolina | $34,640 |
| Idaho | $34,510 |
| New Mexico | $34,230 |
| Georgia | $33,710 |
| Virginia | $33,280 |
| Oklahoma | $32,250 |
| Tennessee | $32,250 |
| West Virginia | $31,770 |
| Florida | $31,340 |
| Arkansas | $30,630 |
| Texas | $30,480 |
| Alabama | $30,140 |
| Kentucky | $29,040 |
| Louisiana | $28,670 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Sewing Machine Operators
Sewing Machine Operator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$26,860 – $31,200 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$36,000 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$40,810 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $47,060+ |
How to Earn More as a Sewing Machine Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Sewing Machine Operators in Appleton, WI earn $48,880 — $12,880 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($40,810) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Sewing Machine Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Sewing Machine Operatorthis career | $36,000 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operator | $45,590 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operator | $45,190 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Worker | $39,820 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker | $33,800 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Sewing Machine Operator requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
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SOC: 51-6031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.