Life As a Sewing Machine Operator
Position Description 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
- 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.
- Perform equipment maintenance tasks such as replacing needles, sanding rough areas of needles, or cleaning and oiling sewing machines.
- Baste edges of material to align and temporarily secure parts for final assembly.
- Tape or twist together thread or cord to repair breaks.
- Position material or articles in clamps, templates, or hoop frames prior to automatic operation of machines.
- Record quantities of materials processed.
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Skills Needed to be a Sewing Machine Operator
These are the skills Sewing Machine Operators say are the most useful in their careers:
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 Jobs
- Buckle Sewer
- Crotch Piece Baster
- Jumpbasting Lining Baster
- Lockstitch Tunnel Elastic Operator
- Neck Band Setter
Is There Job Demand 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.
How Much Does a Sewing Machine Operator Make?
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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Sewing Machine Operators 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
Education needed to be a Sewing Machine Operator:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Sewing Machine Operators Work?
Sewing Machine Operators work in the following industries:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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