Sewing Machine Operator salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Sewing Machine Operators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $34,850 a year ($16.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,250 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $35,160. There are 0.93 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| 25th percentile | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Median | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| 75th percentile | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| Average (mean) | $35,420 | $17.03 |
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 | $2,904.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,452.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,340.38 |
| Weekly | $670.19 |
| Hourly | $16.76 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $46,540 | 1,860 |
| Asheville, NC | $37,210 | 320 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $35,730 | 300 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $34,940 | 1,640 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $32,470 | 1,460 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $30,960 | 340 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $30,150 | 450 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $29,640 | 150 |
| Burlington, NC | $29,570 | 180 |
| Greenville, NC | $29,280 | 70 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $29,230 | 100 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $28,560 | 130 |
| Wilmington, NC | $28,510 | 110 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Upholsterer | $51,060 | $24.55 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,930 | $37.47 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $50,260 | $24.16 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $60,080 | $28.88 |
| Baker | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $43,950 | $21.13 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Printing Press Operator | $43,440 | $20.89 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $34,850 a year, or $16.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $44,250 a year. The top 25% earn $37,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,130 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $29,120 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 320 sewing machine operators are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.