Sewing Machine Operator salary in Albuquerque, NM
Sewing Machine Operators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $33,860 a year ($16.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,320 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 3% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $34,840. There are 0.24 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $34,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,670 | $13.30 |
| 25th percentile | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| Median | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| 75th percentile | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,320 | $20.34 |
| Average (mean) | $34,630 | $16.65 |
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 | $2,821.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,410.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,302.31 |
| Weekly | $651.15 |
| Hourly | $16.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Sewing Machine Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $35,660 | 40 |
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 |
See Sewing Machine Operator pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $32,700 | $15.72 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $33,330 | $16.03 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,510 | $31.50 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,440 | $19.44 |
| Baker | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Machinist | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,510 | $17.55 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $33,860 a year, or $16.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $42,320 a year. The top 25% earn $36,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,670 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $30,590 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 100 sewing machine operators are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.