Sewing Machine Operator salary in Kentucky
Sewing Machine Operators in Kentucky earn a median of $29,460 a year ($14.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,880 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $36,670. Kentucky ranks 49th of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 1.4 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $30,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,350 | $10.74 |
| 25th percentile | $24,070 | $11.57 |
| Median | $29,460 | $14.17 |
| 75th percentile | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,880 | $19.17 |
| Average (mean) | $30,690 | $14.76 |
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 | $2,455 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,227.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,133.08 |
| Weekly | $566.54 |
| Hourly | $14.17 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $36,170 | 300 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,680 | 820 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $32,930 | 440 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $32,690 | 50 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $32,230 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29,210 | 30 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $26,260 | 100 |
| Owensboro, KY | $25,980 | 150 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $29,220 | $14.05 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $32,530 | $15.64 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $33,330 | $16.03 |
| Upholsterer | $41,690 | $20.04 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $31,040 | $14.92 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,490 | $34.85 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,470 | $24.74 |
| Machinist | $58,660 | $28.20 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $54,960 | $26.42 |
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Kentucky is $29,460 a year, or $14.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Kentucky earn at least $39,880 a year. The top 25% earn $36,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,350 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $24,070 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Kentucky?
About 2,750 sewing machine operators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.