Sewing Machine Operator salary in Cleveland, TN
Sewing Machine Operators in the Cleveland, TN metro area earn a median of $36,400 a year ($17.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,730 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 6% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $34,220. There are 1.0 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,720, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Cleveland, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,480 | $10.81 |
| 25th percentile | $29,190 | $14.04 |
| Median | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| 75th percentile | $39,010 | $18.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,730 | $21.02 |
| Average (mean) | $33,720 | $16.21 |
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 | $3,033.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,516.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,400 |
| Weekly | $700 |
| Hourly | $17.50 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,500 | 870 |
| Jackson, TN | $37,380 | 50 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36,800 | 180 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,990 | 430 |
| Morristown, TN | $33,850 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $33,680 | 520 |
| Johnson City, TN | $33,420 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $32,690 | 50 |
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 Cleveland, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $32,770 | $15.76 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,010 | $18.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,520 | $21.40 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $32,970 | $15.85 |
| Baker | $29,420 | $14.15 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $39,380 | $18.93 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $48,080 | $23.11 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,720 | $21.02 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,510 | $21.40 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, TN
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 Cleveland, TN?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Cleveland, TN metro area is $36,400 a year, or $17.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Cleveland, TN?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Cleveland, TN metro area earn at least $43,730 a year. The top 25% earn $39,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Cleveland, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,480 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $29,190 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Cleveland, TN?
About 50 sewing machine operators are employed in the Cleveland, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.