Sewing Machine Operator salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
Sewing Machine Operators in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn a median of $34,960 a year ($16.81 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $29,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,630 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 7% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $37,490. The average (mean) salary is $36,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,630 | $14.25 |
| 25th percentile | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| Median | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| 75th percentile | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Average (mean) | $36,320 | $17.46 |
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 | $2,913.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,456.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,344.62 |
| Weekly | $672.31 |
| Hourly | $16.81 |
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 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $38,130 | 1,150 |
| Flint, MI | $38,130 | 40 |
| Traverse City, MI | $37,900 | 130 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $37,350 | 70 |
| 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 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $66,910 | $32.17 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,820 | $18.67 |
| Machinist | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,360 | $24.69 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,440 | $21.36 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Printing Press Operator | $47,240 | $22.71 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Kalamazoo-Portage, 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 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area is $34,960 a year, or $16.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn at least $44,630 a year. The top 25% earn $39,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,630 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $30,160 or less.