Sewing Machine Operator salary in Minnesota
Sewing Machine Operators in Minnesota earn a median of $38,930 a year ($18.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,910 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $36,670. Minnesota ranks 14th of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 0.64 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,940 | $16.32 |
| 25th percentile | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Median | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| 75th percentile | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,910 | $24.96 |
| Average (mean) | $41,490 | $19.95 |
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 | $3,244.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,622.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,497.31 |
| Weekly | $748.65 |
| Hourly | $18.72 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $42,300 | 1,130 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $38,610 | 70 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $36,820 | 60 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $36,780 | 160 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $35,730 | 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 |
Related jobs in Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $52,600 | $25.29 |
| Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $42,940 | $20.65 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $41,480 | $19.94 |
| Upholsterer | $48,810 | $23.47 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $34,440 | $16.56 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,550 | $37.76 |
| Machinist | $61,140 | $29.39 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,280 | $28.98 |
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Minnesota is $38,930 a year, or $18.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Minnesota earn at least $51,910 a year. The top 25% earn $47,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,940 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $35,520 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Minnesota?
About 1,890 sewing machine operators are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.