Sewing Machine Operators
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
Median pay: $36,670/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -10.8% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 13,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
• Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
• Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.
• Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
• Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.
• Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them, and verify that dye lots and patterns match.
• Fold or stretch edges or lengths of items while sewing to facilitate forming specified sections.
• Cut excess material or thread from finished products.
What's the median pay for Sewing Machine Operators?
The median pay for Sewing Machine Operators is $36,670 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Sewing Machine Operators?
Employment for Sewing Machine Operators is projected to change -10.8% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Sewing Machine Operators?
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
How many job openings are there each year for Sewing Machine Operators?
About 13,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.