Sewing Machine Operator salary in Charleston, WV
Sewing Machine Operators in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $28,430 a year ($13.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,180 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 3% lower than the West Virginia statewide median of $29,320. There are 0.33 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $27,840, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,960 | $10.56 |
| 25th percentile | $22,220 | $10.69 |
| Median | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| 75th percentile | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Average (mean) | $27,840 | $13.39 |
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 | $2,369.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,184.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,093.46 |
| Weekly | $546.73 |
| Hourly | $13.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $41,410 | 660 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $35,120 | 100 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29,210 | 30 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $29,090 | $13.99 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $29,850 | $14.35 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Baker | $28,010 | $13.46 |
| Machinist | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $85,790 | $41.25 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $71,470 | $34.36 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $35,110 | $16.88 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Charleston, WV metro area is $28,430 a year, or $13.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $36,180 a year. The top 25% earn $30,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,960 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $22,220 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Charleston, WV?
About 30 sewing machine operators are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.