Sewing Machine Operator salary in Missouri
Sewing Machine Operators in Missouri earn a median of $35,610 a year ($17.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,240 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $36,670. Missouri ranks 37th of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 0.79 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,300, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,550 | $14.21 |
| 25th percentile | $30,130 | $14.49 |
| Median | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| 75th percentile | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Average (mean) | $35,300 | $16.97 |
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 | $2,967.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,483.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,369.62 |
| Weekly | $684.81 |
| Hourly | $17.12 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $36,800 | 780 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,640 | 600 |
| Springfield, MO | $36,300 | 210 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $31,040 | 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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $33,870 | $16.28 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $30,520 | $14.67 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $30,540 | $14.69 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $48,810 | $23.46 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Upholsterer | $29,990 | $14.42 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,420 | $26.17 |
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 Missouri?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Missouri is $35,610 a year, or $17.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Missouri?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Missouri earn at least $43,240 a year. The top 25% earn $37,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,550 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $30,130 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Missouri?
About 2,320 sewing machine operators are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.