Sewing Machine Operator salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Sewing Machine Operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $36,800 a year ($17.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,650 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 8% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $34,220. There are 0.67 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,580, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,540 | $11.32 |
| 25th percentile | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Median | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| 75th percentile | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Average (mean) | $36,580 | $17.59 |
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 | $3,066.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,533.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,415.38 |
| Weekly | $707.69 |
| Hourly | $17.69 |
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 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,500 | 870 |
| Jackson, TN | $37,380 | 50 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $36,720 | 1,360 |
| Cleveland, TN | $36,400 | 50 |
| Savannah, GA | $36,100 | 140 |
| Dalton, GA | $34,180 | 440 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,990 | 430 |
| Morristown, TN | $33,850 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $33,680 | 520 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $33,440 | 240 |
| Johnson City, TN | $33,420 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $32,690 | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $32,120 | 160 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $31,360 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $29,800 | $14.33 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $48,900 | $23.51 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $43,830 | $21.07 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $33,830 | $16.26 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,330 | $21.80 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,220 | $23.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,660 | $33.97 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Baker | $40,880 | $19.65 |
| Machinist | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,550 | $18.05 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $36,800 a year, or $17.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $45,650 a year. The top 25% earn $44,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,540 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $30,120 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 180 sewing machine operators are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.