Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
Sewing Machine Operators
SOC: 51-6031 O*NET: 51-6031.00
Median Salary
$36,000
per year
Job Growth
📉 -10.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
13
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
What does a Sewing Machine Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$26,860
10th percentile
Early Career
$31,200
25th percentile
Median
$36,000
50th percentile
Experienced
$40,810
75th percentile
Top Earners
$47,060
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$26,860
25th
$31,200
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$36,000
Mean: $36,680
75th
$40,810
90th
$47,060
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $20,200 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $31,200 and $40,810
- •Salary spread is 26.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 109,590 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:124,000
Top Industries
Manufacturing72.7%
Apparel Manufacturing23.9%
Textile Product Mills21.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-10.8%
Annual Openings:13,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)124,000
Current
2034 (Projected)110,700
-10.8%
-13,300
Employment Change
-10.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Sewing Machine Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
14,780 jobs$37,0101.15x
North Carolina
8,580 jobs$35,1702.46x
Texas
6,310 jobs$30,4800.64x
Florida
6,190 jobs$31,3400.89x
New York
5,640 jobs$37,8100.83x
Pennsylvania
4,510 jobs$36,3101.05x
Ohio
4,130 jobs$35,4001.05x
Illinois
4,120 jobs$35,5400.96x
Georgia
3,810 jobs$33,7101.10x
Michigan
3,550 jobs$37,6001.14x
Indiana
3,410 jobs$37,0701.51x
Kentucky
3,270 jobs$29,0402.31x
New Jersey
3,050 jobs$35,0801.01x
Tennessee
2,960 jobs$32,2501.27x
Alabama
2,650 jobs$30,1401.78x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Packers and Packagers, Hand100%
1 shared skills
Foundry Mold and Coremakers50%
1 shared skills
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers50%
1 shared skills
Machine Feeders and Offbearers50%
1 shared skills
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers50%
1 shared skills
Helpers--Roofers33%
1 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
Senior Level
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Sewing Machine Operators
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Operations & Execution (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them, and verify that dye lots and patterns match.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution85% perform90%
7
Record quantities of materials processed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Inspect garments, and examine repair tags and markings on garments to locate defects or damage, and mark errors as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Select supplies such as fasteners and thread, according to job requirements.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Mount attachments, such as needles, cutting blades, or pattern plates, and adjust machine guides according to specifications.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Sewing Machine Operators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Sewing Machine Operators professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Sewing Machine Operators
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.40
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.98
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.79
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.71
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.70
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.65
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.4
Dependability
4.0
Integrity
3.8
Self-Control
3.7
Cooperation
3.7
Independence
3.6
Stress Tolerance
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
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