Sewing Machine Operator salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Sewing Machine Operators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $34,680 a year ($16.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,150 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 3% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $35,760. There are 0.74 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,570 | $14.22 |
| 25th percentile | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Median | $34,680 | $16.67 |
| 75th percentile | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,150 | $21.23 |
| Average (mean) | $36,530 | $17.56 |
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 | $2,890 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,445 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,333.85 |
| Weekly | $666.92 |
| Hourly | $16.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Evansville, IN | $43,800 | 180 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $40,130 | 470 |
| Springfield, OH | $38,190 | 40 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $37,090 | 220 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $36,910 | 710 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $36,630 | 430 |
| Toledo, OH | $36,580 | 190 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $36,250 | 40 |
| Akron, OH | $36,230 | 140 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,220 | 3,450 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $36,170 | 300 |
| Cleveland, OH | $35,760 | 980 |
| Columbus, OH | $35,420 | 610 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $35,120 | 80 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $32,930 | 440 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $32,690 | 50 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $32,470 | 200 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $32,230 | 50 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $31,200 | 40 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $31,170 | 130 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $31,000 | 190 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29,210 | 30 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $26,260 | 100 |
| Owensboro, KY | $25,980 | 150 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $33,390 | $16.05 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $54,350 | $26.13 |
| Upholsterer | $40,000 | $19.23 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $43,300 | $20.82 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,880 | $36.48 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,990 | $24.99 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $54,790 | $26.34 |
| Machinist | $57,300 | $27.55 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,170 | $22.68 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $34,680 a year, or $16.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $44,150 a year. The top 25% earn $39,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,570 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $33,890 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 820 sewing machine operators are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.