Sewing Machine Operator salary in Lincoln, NE
Sewing Machine Operators in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $37,200 a year ($17.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,850 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is about the same as the Nebraska statewide median of $37,060. There are 0.34 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $40,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,420 | $14.15 |
| 25th percentile | $31,670 | $15.23 |
| Median | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| 75th percentile | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,850 | $32.62 |
| Average (mean) | $40,520 | $19.48 |
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 | $3,100 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,550 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,430.77 |
| Weekly | $715.38 |
| Hourly | $17.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $37,380 | 150 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $36,300 | 30 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,440 | $16.56 |
| Upholsterer | $44,220 | $21.26 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,310 | $36.21 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,990 | $25.96 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,900 | $21.59 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $52,340 | $25.17 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Machinist | $57,820 | $27.80 |
| Baker | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,180 | $17.88 |
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $37,200 a year, or $17.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $67,850 a year. The top 25% earn $43,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,420 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $31,670 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Lincoln, NE?
About 60 sewing machine operators are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.