Sewing Machine Operators Salary by State
The national median pay for sewing machine operators is $36,670 a year. By state, it ranges from $29,320 in West Virginia to $45,750 in Nevada.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $27,860
- 25th percentile
- $31,960
- Median
- $36,670
- 75th percentile
- $42,830
- Top 10%
- $47,840
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 104,880 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $45,750 | +25% | $30,730 | $55,550 | 910 |
| 2 | Alaska | $43,850 | +20% | $34,750 | $64,850 | 40 |
| 3 | Colorado | $43,840 | +20% | $35,250 | $55,050 | 970 |
| 4 | Maine | $43,520 | +19% | $32,760 | $49,460 | 700 |
| 5 | Washington | $43,360 | +18% | $37,180 | $50,180 | 1,600 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $42,910 | +17% | $35,580 | $53,990 | 1,540 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $41,740 | +14% | $28,850 | $56,380 | 190 |
| 8 | Vermont | $40,850 | +11% | $29,140 | $51,630 | 220 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $40,370 | +10% | $30,860 | $50,080 | 2,370 |
| 10 | Arizona | $40,210 | +10% | $34,690 | $47,310 | 1,420 |
| 11 | Oregon | $39,780 | +8% | $33,770 | $51,260 | 1,250 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $39,230 | +7% | $32,210 | $60,810 | 280 |
| 13 | South Dakota | $39,000 | +6% | $28,350 | $47,030 | 300 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $38,930 | +6% | $33,940 | $51,910 | 1,890 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $38,670 | +5% | $31,200 | $51,180 | 270 |
| 16 | New York | $38,480 | +5% | $33,790 | $55,290 | 6,130 |
| 17 | Indiana | $38,440 | +5% | $30,060 | $51,180 | 3,400 |
| 18 | South Carolina | $38,250 | +4% | $26,690 | $47,210 | 2,460 |
| 19 | California | $37,940 | +3% | $34,950 | $49,040 | 13,240 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $37,780 | +3% | $34,010 | $47,260 | 480 |
| 21 | Delaware | $37,690 | +3% | $31,200 | $47,330 | 60 |
| 22 | Mississippi | $37,600 | +3% | $26,840 | $44,220 | 2,270 |
| 23 | Michigan | $37,490 | +2% | $30,200 | $46,790 | 3,210 |
| 24 | Idaho | $37,160 | +1% | $28,790 | $49,280 | 410 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $37,060 | +1% | $29,610 | $44,450 | 300 |
| 26 | Montana | $36,740 | 0% | $24,290 | $50,370 | 190 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $36,510 | 0% | $30,440 | $46,610 | 110 |
| 28 | Illinois | $36,220 | −1% | $33,060 | $46,720 | 4,060 |
| 29 | New Jersey | $36,130 | −1% | $32,220 | $46,170 | 2,750 |
| 30 | Iowa | $35,870 | −2% | $28,890 | $47,270 | 590 |
| 31 | Maryland | $35,860 | −2% | $31,200 | $55,390 | 1,390 |
| 32 | Virginia | $35,790 | −2% | $27,470 | $46,760 | 2,010 |
| 33 | Ohio | $35,760 | −2% | $29,530 | $43,890 | 4,100 |
| 34 | North Dakota | $35,700 | −3% | $27,950 | $55,080 | 110 |
| 35 | Pennsylvania | $35,640 | −3% | $28,340 | $45,510 | 3,390 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $35,630 | −3% | $27,810 | $45,660 | 860 |
| 37 | Missouri | $35,610 | −3% | $29,550 | $43,240 | 2,320 |
| 38 | Utah | $35,550 | −3% | $29,870 | $45,590 | 1,020 |
| 39 | Kansas | $35,360 | −4% | $28,380 | $46,070 | 650 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $35,160 | −4% | $26,560 | $48,570 | 8,290 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $34,840 | −5% | $28,620 | $42,240 | 220 |
| 42 | Georgia | $34,790 | −5% | $26,950 | $42,100 | 3,420 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $34,220 | −7% | $19,130 | $46,800 | 3,300 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $33,340 | −9% | $23,850 | $44,350 | 580 |
| 45 | Florida | $33,270 | −9% | $27,360 | $46,230 | 6,790 |
| 46 | Texas | $31,000 | −15% | $21,420 | $44,290 | 6,950 |
| 47 | Alabama | $30,830 | −16% | $23,830 | $41,330 | 2,300 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $29,600 | −19% | $21,180 | $38,100 | 610 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $29,460 | −20% | $22,350 | $39,880 | 2,750 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $29,320 | −20% | $21,960 | $44,780 | 180 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Sewing Machine Operators salary questions
Which state pays sewing machine operators the most?
Nevada, with a median of $45,750 a year (+25% vs. the national median of $36,670). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays sewing machine operators the least?
West Virginia, with a median of $29,320 a year (−20% vs. national).
Where do most sewing machine operators work?
California has the most jobs, about 13,240, with a median of $37,940.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.