Sewing Machine Operator salary in Alabama
Sewing Machine Operators in Alabama earn a median of $30,830 a year ($14.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,330 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $36,670. Alabama ranks 47th of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 1.1 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,830 | $11.46 |
| 25th percentile | $27,390 | $13.17 |
| Median | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| 75th percentile | $35,410 | $17.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,330 | $19.87 |
| Average (mean) | $31,730 | $15.25 |
Half of sewing machine operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,569.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,284.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,185.77 |
| Weekly | $592.88 |
| Hourly | $14.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Sewing Machine Operator salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $36,340 | 230 |
| Mobile, AL | $34,110 | 50 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $33,440 | 240 |
| Montgomery, AL | $33,330 | 60 |
| Decatur, AL | $32,770 | n/a |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $31,890 | 140 |
| Birmingham, AL | $31,840 | 270 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $31,140 | 50 |
| Dothan, AL | $30,320 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for sewing machine operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $45,750 |
| Alaska | $43,850 |
| Colorado | $43,840 |
| Maine | $43,520 |
| Washington | $43,360 |
| Massachusetts | $42,910 |
| New Hampshire | $41,740 |
| Vermont | $40,850 |
| Wisconsin | $40,370 |
| Arizona | $40,210 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $28,370 | $13.64 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $60,100 | $28.89 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $26,860 | $12.92 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Upholsterer | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $33,190 | $15.96 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $35,970 | $17.29 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,700 | $20.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,060 | $35.13 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $40,010 | $19.24 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-6031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sewing machine operator make in Alabama?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Alabama is $30,830 a year, or $14.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Alabama?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Alabama earn at least $41,330 a year. The top 25% earn $35,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,830 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $27,390 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Alabama?
About 2,300 sewing machine operators are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.