Wages vary by industry and area of the country. In addition, many sewing machine operators are paid according to the number of acceptable pieces they or their group produce. Therefore, total earnings can depend on skill, speed, and accuracy.
Benefits also vary. Full-time sewing machine operators may receive typical benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. However, some small firms offer limited benefits. Some large employers provide child care. Some operate company stores where employees can purchase apparel at discount rates.
Sewing machine operators (SOC 51-6031)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $14.46 | $15.65 | $17.76 |
| Yearly | $30,084 | $32,560 | $36,940 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $14.30 | $14.30 | $15.91 |
| Yearly | $29,735 | $29,735 | $33,092 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $14.75 | $15.81 | $17.76 |
| Yearly | $30,676 | $32,877 | $36,939 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $15.63 | $15.65 | $20.33 |
| Yearly | $32,510 | $32,560 | $42,283 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $12.51 | $14.41 | $16.54 |
| Yearly | $26,011 | $29,984 | $34,394 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $15.15 | $15.92 | $17.67 |
| Yearly | $31,523 | $33,122 | $36,765 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $15.49 | $17.76 | $18.28 |
| Yearly | $32,212 | $36,943 | $38,025 | |
| Mt. Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $13.81 | $14.14 | $16.23 |
| Yearly | $28,721 | $29,423 | $33,741 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $14.24 | $15.17 | $17.03 |
| Yearly | $29,612 | $31,556 | $35,408 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $14.49 | $14.54 | $16.46 |
| Yearly | $30,132 | $30,249 | $34,234 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $13.93 | $14.31 | $15.39 |
| Yearly | $28,982 | $29,768 | $32,012 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $13.97 | $16.28 | $17.30 |
| Yearly | $29,067 | $33,852 | $35,983 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $15.65 | $16.49 | $17.96 |
| Yearly | $32,553 | $34,293 | $37,339 | |
| St. Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $14.84 | $15.63 | $17.48 |
| Yearly | $30,863 | $32,514 | $36,358 | |
| Vermilion County | Hourly | $14.24 | $14.24 | $20.48 |
| Yearly | $29,605 | $29,605 | $42,599 | |
| United States | Hourly | $13.61 | $15.26 | $17.80 |
| Yearly | $28,320 | $31,740 | $37,020 | |