Sewing Machine Operator salary in Arkansas
Sewing Machine Operators in Arkansas earn a median of $35,630 a year ($17.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 860 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,660 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $36,670. Arkansas ranks 36th of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 0.66 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| 25th percentile | $29,340 | $14.11 |
| Median | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| 75th percentile | $38,640 | $18.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Average (mean) | $35,640 | $17.14 |
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 | $2,969.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,484.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,370.38 |
| Weekly | $685.19 |
| Hourly | $17.13 |
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 Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $37,060 | 240 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $34,820 | 200 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,990 | 430 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $27,810 | 70 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $28,460 | $13.68 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $29,880 | $14.37 |
| Upholsterer | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,570 | $21.43 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,740 | $18.15 |
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Arkansas is $35,630 a year, or $17.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Arkansas earn at least $45,660 a year. The top 25% earn $38,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,810 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $29,340 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Arkansas?
About 860 sewing machine operators are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.