Sewing Machine Operator salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Sewing Machine Operators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $35,730 a year ($17.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,720 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is about the same as the North Dakota statewide median of $35,700. There are 0.45 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $38,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,930 | $13.43 |
| 25th percentile | $33,330 | $16.03 |
| Median | $35,730 | $17.18 |
| 75th percentile | $42,110 | $20.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,720 | $24.39 |
| Average (mean) | $38,000 | $18.27 |
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 | $2,977.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,488.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,374.23 |
| Weekly | $687.12 |
| Hourly | $17.18 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $42,300 | 1,130 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $38,610 | 70 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $36,820 | 60 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $36,780 | 160 |
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 Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,470 | $18.01 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,660 | $22.44 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $61,140 | $29.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,410 | $36.74 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| Baker | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| Printing Press Operator | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Food Batchmaker | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Machinist | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | $46,530 | $22.37 |
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $35,730 a year, or $17.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $50,720 a year. The top 25% earn $42,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,930 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $33,330 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 70 sewing machine operators are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.