Sewing Machine Operator salary in Illinois
Sewing Machine Operators in Illinois earn a median of $36,220 a year ($17.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,720 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $36,670. Illinois ranks 28th of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 0.67 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,060 | $15.90 |
| 25th percentile | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Median | $36,220 | $17.41 |
| 75th percentile | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Average (mean) | $38,600 | $18.56 |
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 | $3,018.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,509.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,393.08 |
| Weekly | $696.54 |
| Hourly | $17.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Sewing Machine Operator salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $36,800 | 780 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,220 | 3,450 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,220 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $34,060 | 70 |
| Peoria, IL | $33,060 | 80 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,220 | $16.93 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| Upholsterer | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $42,370 | $20.37 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,950 | $17.77 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $40,230 | $19.34 |
| Sewers, Hand | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.75 |
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 Illinois?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Illinois is $36,220 a year, or $17.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Illinois earn at least $46,720 a year. The top 25% earn $42,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,060 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $34,860 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Illinois?
About 4,060 sewing machine operators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.