Sewing Machine Operator salary in Missoula, MT
Sewing Machine Operators in the Missoula, MT metro area earn a median of $38,490 a year ($18.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,370 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 5% higher than the Montana statewide median of $36,740. There are 0.47 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $39,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Missoula, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,560 | $12.77 |
| 25th percentile | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| Median | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| 75th percentile | $46,120 | $22.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,370 | $24.21 |
| Average (mean) | $39,840 | $19.15 |
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 | $3,207.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,603.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,480.38 |
| Weekly | $740.19 |
| Hourly | $18.51 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $39,610 | 60 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Missoula, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Baker | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $53,560 | $25.75 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $66,550 | $31.99 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Machinist | $60,060 | $28.88 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $45,540 | $21.89 |
| Printing Press Operator | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $54,010 | $25.97 |
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 Missoula, MT?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Missoula, MT metro area is $38,490 a year, or $18.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Missoula, MT?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Missoula, MT metro area earn at least $50,370 a year. The top 25% earn $46,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Missoula, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,560 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $35,500 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Missoula, MT?
About 30 sewing machine operators are employed in the Missoula, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.