Sewing Machine Operator salary in Arecibo, PR
Sewing Machine Operators in the Arecibo, PR metro area earn a median of $22,550 a year ($10.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $22,550 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 3% higher than the Puerto Rico statewide median of $21,840. There are 29 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 43.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $22,360, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Arecibo, PR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Median | $22,550 | $10.84 |
| 75th percentile | $22,550 | $10.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $22,550 | $10.84 |
| Average (mean) | $22,360 | $10.75 |
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 | $1,879.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $939.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $867.31 |
| Weekly | $433.65 |
| Hourly | $10.84 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $22,190 | 740 |
| Mayaguez, PR | $21,840 | 2,370 |
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 Puerto Rico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Arecibo, PR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $24,120 | $11.60 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $23,000 | $11.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $41,880 | $20.14 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $24,430 | $11.74 |
| Baker | $22,150 | $10.65 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $29,380 | $14.13 |
| Food Batchmaker | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $23,230 | $11.17 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $27,220 | $13.09 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $27,410 | $13.18 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $24,450 | $11.75 |
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 Arecibo, PR?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Arecibo, PR metro area is $22,550 a year, or $10.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $22,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Arecibo, PR?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Arecibo, PR metro area earn at least $22,550 a year. The top 25% earn $22,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Arecibo, PR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,840 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $21,840 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Arecibo, PR?
About 1,010 sewing machine operators are employed in the Arecibo, PR metro area, not counting the self-employed.