Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Sewing Machine Operators
Sewing Machine Operators operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
Table of contents
What they do
Sewing Machine Operators operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
- Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
- Cut materials according to specifications, using blades, scissors, or electric knives.
- Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
- Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Sewing Machine Operators record quantities of materials processed. They guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
A typical day for a Sewing Machine Operator will also include:
- Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.
- Cut excess material or thread from finished products.
- Repair or alter items by adding replacement parts or missing stitches.
- Turn knobs, screws, and dials to adjust settings of machines, according to garment styles and equipment performance.
- Perform equipment maintenance tasks such as replacing needles, sanding rough areas of needles, or cleaning and oiling sewing machines.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Sewing Machine Operators also perform equipment maintenance tasks such as replacing needles, sanding rough areas of needles, or cleaning and oiling sewing machines. They may also draw markings or pin appliques on fabric to obtain variations in design.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Sewing Machine Operators attach tape, trim, appliques, or elastic to specified garments or garment parts, according to item specifications. They might also mount attachments, such as needles, cutting blades, or pattern plates, and adjust machine guides according to specifications.
In addition, they baste edges of material to align and temporarily secure parts for final assembly.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them repair or alter items by adding replacement parts or missing stitches.
To some Sewing Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to tape or twist together thread or cord to repair breaks.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
63% said they were satisfied with their job and 43% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is very easy to get into this career. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Demand for this career is declining.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Sewing Machine Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $20,270 to $24,190 per year or $10 to $12 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $39,790 | $19 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $33,080 | $16 |
| Median | $28,230 | $14 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $24,190 | $12 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $20,270 | $10 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Sewing Machine Operators based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Local Government | $47560 | $22.86 |
| Federal Executive Branch | $44060 | $21.19 |
| State Government | $43620 | $20.97 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $39040 | $18.77 |
| Traveler Accommodation | $35920 | $17.27 |
| Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $35510 | $17.07 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $34830 | $16.75 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $33690 | $16.20 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $33560 | $16.13 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | $33500 | $16.11 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Sewing Machine Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Sewing Machine Operators including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 28480 | $27890 | $13.41 |
| Other Textile Product Mills | 17970 | $29270 | $14.07 |
| Textile Furnishings Mills | 7730 | $29370 | $14.12 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 6610 | $33500 | $16.11 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 5470 | $29100 | $13.99 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 3800 | $33560 | $16.13 |
| Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing | 3690 | $28350 | $13.63 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 3690 | $29150 | $14.01 |
| Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers | 3300 | $32830 | $15.78 |
| Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 3060 | $30080 | $14.46 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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