Sewing Machine Operators
Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
Also called: Appliquer, Apron Operator, Armhole Sewer, Automat Watcher, Automatic Hemmer, Automatic Seamer
Median pay
$36,670
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$27,860 – $47,840
People employed
104,880
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 2.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 4.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 5.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 6.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 7.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 8.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Sewing Machine Operators pay by state
Annual median pay by state (50 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What sewing machine operators do
- 01Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
- 02Cut materials according to specifications, using blades, scissors, or electric knives.
- 03Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
- 04Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.
- 05Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
- 06Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
Knowledge
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from sewing machine operators
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders89% · +37%
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers88% · +12%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders84% · +27%
- Cutters and Trimmers, Hand84% · +4%
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders83% · +27%
Change into sewing machine operators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Cutters and Trimmers, Hand84% · $38,020
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers83% · $42,290
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers80% · $41,220
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood80% · $42,770
- Packers and Packagers, Hand78% · $36,280