What Does it Take to Be a Sewing Machine Operator?
Career Description Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
A Day in the Life of a Sewing Machine Operator
- Turn knobs, screws, and dials to adjust settings of machines, according to garment styles and equipment performance.
- Position material or articles in clamps, templates, or hoop frames prior to automatic operation of machines.
- Position and mark patterns on materials to prepare for sewing.
- Inspect garments, and examine repair tags and markings on garments to locate defects or damage, and mark errors as necessary.
- Draw markings or pin appliques on fabric to obtain variations in design.
- Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Sewing Machine Operator?
Sewing Machine Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Shirt Closer
- Machine Operator
- Overlock Sleeve Setter
- Overseamer
- Coat Feller
Sewing Machine Operator Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 153,900 jobs for Sewing Machine Operator in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Sewing Machine Operator. There will be an estimated 12,300 positions for Sewing Machine Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Sewing Machine Operator are Nevada, Alaska, and Wyoming. Watch out if you plan on working in New York, Pennsylvania, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Sewing Machine Operator Salary
The average yearly salary of a Sewing Machine Operator ranges between $19,040 and $37,880.

Sewing Machine Operators who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Sewing Machine Operators make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $23,960 |
Alaska | $38,270 |
Arizona | $29,940 |
Arkansas | $24,270 |
California | $26,670 |
Colorado | $28,820 |
Connecticut | $35,120 |
Delaware | $28,530 |
District of Columbia | $35,830 |
Florida | $27,060 |
Georgia | $24,760 |
Hawaii | $27,450 |
Idaho | $25,360 |
Illinois | $29,010 |
Indiana | $28,180 |
Iowa | $28,320 |
Kansas | $28,530 |
Kentucky | $23,530 |
Louisiana | $24,540 |
Maine | $29,910 |
Maryland | $27,910 |
Massachusetts | $30,980 |
Michigan | $27,860 |
Minnesota | $29,610 |
Mississippi | $27,910 |
Missouri | $24,390 |
Montana | $27,750 |
Nebraska | $25,570 |
Nevada | $29,340 |
New Hampshire | $31,700 |
New Jersey | $24,370 |
New Mexico | $23,600 |
New York | $30,020 |
North Carolina | $27,990 |
North Dakota | $26,960 |
Ohio | $26,190 |
Oklahoma | $23,120 |
Oregon | $28,290 |
Pennsylvania | $26,670 |
Rhode Island | $30,870 |
South Carolina | $24,570 |
South Dakota | $27,130 |
Tennessee | $24,470 |
Texas | $23,850 |
Utah | $27,500 |
Vermont | $27,500 |
Virginia | $25,640 |
Washington | $33,320 |
West Virginia | $25,390 |
Wisconsin | $28,750 |
Wyoming | $28,910 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Sewing Machine Operators
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Sewing Machine Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Email software
Becoming a Sewing Machine Operator
Are there Sewing Machine Operators education requirements?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Sewing Machine Operators?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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