How much does a sewing operator make?
a year · about $18 an hour
A typical sewing operator in the United States makes $36,670 a year, about $18 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They thread the machine, line fabric up beneath the needle, and guide pieces through to join seams. They watch for broken threads or bad stitches, then remove and inspect finished items.
Did you know? Some U.S. sewing operators sew real parachute parts for military and search-and-rescue teams—not just clothes.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $27,860 and $47,840How do you become one?
Most U.S. entrants need no formal schooling or experience; they learn on the job or by apprenticeship, and employers may test sewing skills. Federal law generally allows work from 14, but job and state rules can limit younger workers.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
Pay in the U.S. can rise with experience, useful training or certification, and skill at complex or specialized sewing. It also differs by employer or industry and location; overtime or shift premiums may add pay.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Nevada ($45,750), lowest in Kentucky ($29,460).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a textile worker averages $21,292. Sewing operator salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $27,860 | $36,670 | $47,840 | about 105,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $45,750 | about 910 |
| Colorado | $43,840 | about 970 |
| Maine | $43,520 | about 700 |
| Washington | $43,360 | about 2,000 |
| Massachusetts | $42,910 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/51-6031.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes516031.htm
- airborne-sys.com/job/sewing-machine-operator-2
- www.dol.gov/general/topic/youthlabor/agerequirements
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY