Sewing Machine Operator salary in Madison, WI
Sewing Machine Operators in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $40,040 a year ($19.25 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $32,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,080 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 1% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $40,370. The average (mean) salary is $41,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,700 | $15.72 |
| 25th percentile | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Median | $40,040 | $19.25 |
| 75th percentile | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Average (mean) | $41,160 | $19.79 |
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 | $3,336.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,668.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,540 |
| Weekly | $770 |
| Hourly | $19.25 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | $48,460 | 110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $42,300 | 1,130 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $40,130 | 80 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $39,810 | 60 |
| Wausau, WI | $39,110 | 30 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $38,600 | 560 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $37,550 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $36,820 | 110 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $36,820 | 60 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $36,780 | 160 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,260 | $17.92 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $40,420 | $19.43 |
| Upholsterer | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,700 | $36.88 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $53,940 | $25.93 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Food Batchmaker | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,530 | $28.62 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Printing Press Operator | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $45,690 | $21.97 |
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Madison, WI metro area is $40,040 a year, or $19.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $50,080 a year. The top 25% earn $45,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,700 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $35,850 or less.