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Production

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Sewing Machine Operators
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Median pay

$36,000
Median annual pay for Sewing Machine Operators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-10.8%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

13,000
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

124,000
Estimated U.S. employment for Sewing Machine Operators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-13,300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

  1. 1English Language
  2. 2Production and Processing
  3. 3Mathematics
  4. 4Education and Training
  5. 5Customer and Personal Service
  6. 6Public Safety and Security

Abilities

  1. 1Arm-Hand Steadiness
  2. 2Manual Dexterity
  3. 3Control Precision
  4. 4Near Vision
  5. 5Finger Dexterity
  6. 6Information Ordering

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Artistic
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Stress Tolerance
  6. 6Cooperation

Work activities

  1. 1Handling and Moving Objects
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Controlling Machines and Processes
  4. 4Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  5. 5Getting Information
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  2. 2Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  3. 3Spend Time Sitting
  4. 4Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  5. 5Time Pressure
  6. 6Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Representative tasks

  • Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
  • 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.
  • Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
  • Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.
  • Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them, and verify that dye lots and patterns match.
  • Fold or stretch edges or lengths of items while sewing to facilitate forming specified sections.
  • Cut excess material or thread from finished products.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyEmail softwareWeb browser software

The short answer

Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.

The measurable national baseline is $36,000 median annual pay, -10.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 13,000 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Sewing Machine Operators is $36,000. Current employment is 124,000, with projected 2034 employment of 110,700. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects -10.8% employment growth for Sewing Machine Operators from 2024 to 2034 and about 13,000 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is No formal educational credential. Related work experience is None, and the listed on-the-job training category is Short-term on-the-job training. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.

A representative O*NET task is: Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions. The broader activity profile emphasizes Handling and Moving Objects, Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Controlling Machines and Processes.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Monitoring, Active Listening, Critical Thinking. Leading knowledge areas are English Language, Production and Processing, Mathematics. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word.

Common questions

What is the median pay for Sewing Machine Operators?

The national median annual pay in the current dataset is $36,000. Actual pay varies by location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Is demand growing for Sewing Machine Operators?

BLS projects -10.8% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 13,000 openings per year. Openings include both newly created positions and replacement demand.

What education is needed for Sewing Machine Operators?

The typical BLS entry-education category is No formal educational credential. Related experience, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification requirements may also apply.

What does Sewing Machine Operators involve?

Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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