Sewing Machine Operator salary in Michigan
Sewing Machine Operators in Michigan earn a median of $37,490 a year ($18.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,790 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $36,670. Michigan ranks 23rd of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 0.73 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| 25th percentile | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| Median | $37,490 | $18.02 |
| 75th percentile | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Average (mean) | $37,700 | $18.12 |
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 | $3,124.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,562.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,441.92 |
| Weekly | $720.96 |
| Hourly | $18.02 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $38,480 | 480 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $38,130 | 1,150 |
| Flint, MI | $38,130 | 40 |
| Traverse City, MI | $37,900 | 130 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $37,350 | 70 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $34,960 | n/a |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $32,470 | 200 |
| Saginaw, MI | $30,360 | 40 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,100 | $16.87 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $31,270 | $15.04 |
| Upholsterer | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,120 | $18.33 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,690 | $21.49 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,490 | $21.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,170 | $34.70 |
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 Michigan?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Michigan is $37,490 a year, or $18.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Michigan?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Michigan earn at least $46,790 a year. The top 25% earn $43,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,200 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $30,300 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Michigan?
About 3,210 sewing machine operators are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.