Sewing Machine Operator salary in Maryland
Sewing Machine Operators in Maryland earn a median of $35,860 a year ($17.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,390 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $36,670. Maryland ranks 31st of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. 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 $39,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| Median | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| 75th percentile | $42,880 | $20.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,390 | $26.63 |
| Average (mean) | $39,090 | $18.79 |
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 | $2,988.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,494.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,379.23 |
| Weekly | $689.62 |
| Hourly | $17.24 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $41,410 | 660 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $35,860 | 630 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $35,360 | 1,400 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $35,120 | 100 |
| Salisbury, MD | $31,200 | 130 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $34,390 | $16.53 |
| Upholsterer | $50,270 | $24.17 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $34,890 | $16.78 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $31,740 | $15.26 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $48,200 | $23.17 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,670 | $21.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,310 | $29.00 |
| Baker | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $47,640 | $22.90 |
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 Maryland?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Maryland is $35,860 a year, or $17.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Maryland?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Maryland earn at least $55,390 a year. The top 25% earn $42,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $31,360 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Maryland?
About 1,390 sewing machine operators are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.