Who Earns What

How much does a fabric cutter make?

US Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
$38,760

a year · about $19 an hour

A typical fabric cutter in the United States makes $38,760 a year, about $19 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They read work orders, lay patterns over fabric layers, and use an electric knife or computer-controlled cutter to slice garment or toy pieces. They check the cuts, adjust machine settings, and record what was made.

Did you know? A fabric cutter can slice through several layers at once, making parts for things as different as hats and stuffed toys.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$38,760
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $28,650 and $49,420
45 of 100
not many

How do you become one?

In the U.S., a high school diploma or GED is common, though some jobs do not require it; beginners can learn on the job, with training ranging from days to about a year. O*NET lists no national certification for this job.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., experience and skill with more complex machine setups can lead to higher pay. Pay also varies by the employer’s industry and location, and some workplaces add extra pay for night or weekend shifts.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in Connecticut ($47,160), lowest in Nevada ($28,630).

See every state
Whole US$38,760
Connecticut$47,160
New York$46,810
New Hampshire$45,930
Hawaii$45,760
Washington$45,380
Iowa$30,060
Arkansas$29,140
Nevada$28,630

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Fabric cutter pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$28,650$38,760$49,420about 9,000
States where fabric cutters earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Connecticut$47,160about 50
New York$46,810about 170
New Hampshire$45,930about 80
Hawaii$45,760—
Washington$45,380about 140

Official definition: Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.

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

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Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY