What Does it Take to Be a Sewing Machine Operator?
Sewing Machine Operator Definition Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
Life As a Sewing Machine Operator
- Mount attachments, such as needles, cutting blades, or pattern plates, and adjust machine guides according to specifications.
- Position material or articles in clamps, templates, or hoop frames prior to automatic operation of machines.
- Perform equipment maintenance tasks such as replacing needles, sanding rough areas of needles, or cleaning and oiling sewing machines.
- Start and operate or tend machines, such as single or double needle serging and flat-bed felling machines, to automatically join, reinforce, or decorate material or articles.
- Record quantities of materials processed.
- Perform specialized or automatic sewing machine functions, such as buttonhole making or tacking.
Featured schools near , edit
Things a Sewing Machine Operator Should Know How to Do
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.
Types of Sewing Machine Operator
- Front Maker
- Canvas Baster
- Belt Sewer
- Dressmaker Helper
- Zigzag Stitcher
Are There Job Opportunities for Sewing Machine Operators?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 153,900 jobs in the United States for Sewing Machine Operator. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Sewing Machine Operator. The BLS estimates 12,300 yearly job openings in this field.

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 Average Salary
The salary for Sewing Machine Operators ranges between about $19,040 and $37,880 a year.

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 |
What Tools & Technology do Sewing Machine Operators Use?
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
Individuals working as a Sewing Machine Operator have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Sewing Machine Operator?

Where Sewing Machine Operators Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Sewing Machine Operators employed by various industries.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |