Sewing Machine Operator salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Sewing Machine Operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $33,990 a year ($16.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,670 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $34,220. There are 0.71 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,830 | $10.02 |
| 25th percentile | $24,870 | $11.96 |
| Median | $33,990 | $16.34 |
| 75th percentile | $42,090 | $20.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Average (mean) | $34,000 | $16.34 |
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 | $2,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,416.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,307.31 |
| Weekly | $653.65 |
| Hourly | $16.34 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,500 | 870 |
| Jackson, TN | $37,380 | 50 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $37,060 | 240 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36,800 | 180 |
| Cleveland, TN | $36,400 | 50 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $34,820 | 200 |
| Morristown, TN | $33,850 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $33,680 | 520 |
| Johnson City, TN | $33,420 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $32,690 | 50 |
| Jackson, MS | $31,200 | 110 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $27,810 | 70 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $33,370 | $16.04 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $34,770 | $16.72 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,530 | $18.52 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,990 | $31.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| Machinist | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,470 | $24.26 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $59,270 | $28.50 |
| Baker | $33,400 | $16.06 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $33,990 a year, or $16.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $45,670 a year. The top 25% earn $42,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,830 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $24,870 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 430 sewing machine operators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.