What Sewing Machine Operators do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Sewing Machine Operators this way: "Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions"; "Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides"; "Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components"; "Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them, and verify that dye lots and patterns match"; "Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Sewing Machine Operators
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 117,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 99,500 in 2035, a decrease of 17,700 jobs (-15.1%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 9,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 11.3% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $36,670, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Sewing Machine Operators earn the most
Published data currently covers California, where the employment-weighted average of local median wages is $38,276. More states are added as pages are published.
Occupations related to Sewing Machine Operators
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (51-6000) include Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Sewing Machine Operators
How much do Sewing Machine Operators earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $36,670.
Is Sewing Machine Operators a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 15.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 9,800 openings a year.
What education do Sewing Machine Operators need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.