What Sewing Machine Operators do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Sewing Machine Operators this way: "Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions"; "Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides"; "Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components"; "Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them, and verify that dye lots and patterns match"; "Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Sewing Machine Operators
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 117,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 99,500 in 2035, a decrease of 17,700 jobs (-15.1%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 9,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 11.3% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $36,670, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Sewing Machine Operators earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $37,250 in New Jersey to $38,276 in California, a gap of $1,026 (1.03 times). 3 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $36,670 and 0 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 12,940, which is 43.3% of the 29,860 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 8,710.
Highest-paying states
California ($38,276), New York ($37,830) and New Jersey ($37,250) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($37,250) and New York ($37,830) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Sewing Machine Operators: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $555. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $9,873 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 1 of the 3 markets and falls short in 2. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 74.8% and 105.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Sewing Machine Operators
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (51-6000) include Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Sewing Machine Operators
How much do Sewing Machine Operators earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $36,670. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $37,250 to $38,276.
Which state pays Sewing Machine Operators the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $38,276. New York is next at $37,830.
Is Sewing Machine Operators a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 15.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 9,800 openings a year.
What education do Sewing Machine Operators need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Sewing Machine Operators afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $555 on a median wage of $37,780.