Sewing Machine Operator salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Sewing Machine Operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $37,270 a year ($17.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,200 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $35,870. There are 0.20 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $37,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,190 | $14.52 |
| 25th percentile | $32,420 | $15.59 |
| Median | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| 75th percentile | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Average (mean) | $37,460 | $18.01 |
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 | $3,105.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,552.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,433.46 |
| Weekly | $716.73 |
| Hourly | $17.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $39,120 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $37,380 | 150 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $36,300 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,220 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $35,740 | 40 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $34,310 | 60 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $33,510 | $16.11 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $71,150 | $34.21 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Baker | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Printing Press Operator | $43,450 | $20.89 |
| Food Batchmaker | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,700 | $23.42 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $37,270 a year, or $17.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $47,200 a year. The top 25% earn $39,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,190 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $32,420 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 80 sewing machine operators are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.