Sewing Machine Operator salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Sewing Machine Operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $38,130 a year ($18.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,510 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 2% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $37,490. There are 0.60 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,910 | $14.86 |
| 25th percentile | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Median | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| 75th percentile | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Average (mean) | $39,560 | $19.02 |
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 | $3,177.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,588.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,466.54 |
| Weekly | $733.27 |
| Hourly | $18.33 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $38,480 | 480 |
| Flint, MI | $38,130 | 40 |
| Traverse City, MI | $37,900 | 130 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $37,350 | 70 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $34,960 | n/a |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $32,470 | 200 |
| Saginaw, MI | $30,360 | 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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,060 | $16.85 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Upholsterer | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $33,330 | $16.03 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,240 | $23.67 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,490 | $36.29 |
| Machinist | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $39,790 | $19.13 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $73,120 | $35.15 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,810 | $24.91 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $51,210 | $24.62 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $38,130 a year, or $18.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $47,510 a year. The top 25% earn $45,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,910 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $34,800 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 1,150 sewing machine operators are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.