Sewing Machine Operator salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Sewing Machine Operators in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $31,360 a year ($15.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,700 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 10% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $34,790. There are 0.38 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $33,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| 25th percentile | $29,730 | $14.29 |
| Median | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| 75th percentile | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,700 | $17.65 |
| Average (mean) | $33,070 | $15.90 |
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 | $2,613.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,306.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,206.15 |
| Weekly | $603.08 |
| Hourly | $15.08 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, GA | $37,890 | 50 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36,800 | 180 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $36,720 | 1,360 |
| Savannah, GA | $36,100 | 140 |
| Dalton, GA | $34,180 | 440 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $33,440 | 240 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $32,120 | 160 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $53,970 | $25.95 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $28,860 | $13.88 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,810 | $18.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,320 | $32.84 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,230 | $21.75 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,490 | $19.95 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Baker | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| Machinist | $56,010 | $26.93 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $37,530 | $18.04 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
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 Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $31,360 a year, or $15.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $36,700 a year. The top 25% earn $36,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,600 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $29,730 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 40 sewing machine operators are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.