Sewing Machine Operator salary in Johnson City, TN
Sewing Machine Operators in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn a median of $33,420 a year ($16.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,010 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $34,220. There are 0.50 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $33,350, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Johnson City, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,460 | $11.28 |
| 25th percentile | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| Median | $33,420 | $16.07 |
| 75th percentile | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,010 | $20.20 |
| Average (mean) | $33,350 | $16.04 |
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 | $2,785 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,392.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,285.38 |
| Weekly | $642.69 |
| Hourly | $16.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,500 | 870 |
| Jackson, TN | $37,380 | 50 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36,800 | 180 |
| Cleveland, TN | $36,400 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,990 | 430 |
| Morristown, TN | $33,850 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $33,680 | 520 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $32,690 | 50 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Johnson City, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,730 | $15.25 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,480 | $20.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,980 | $21.62 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| Baker | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Machinist | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $40,110 | $19.28 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $42,140 | $20.26 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,390 | $17.02 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $35,570 | $17.10 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Johnson City, TN
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 Johnson City, TN?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Johnson City, TN metro area is $33,420 a year, or $16.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Johnson City, TN?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn at least $42,010 a year. The top 25% earn $36,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Johnson City, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,460 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $29,950 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Johnson City, TN?
About 40 sewing machine operators are employed in the Johnson City, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.