Sewing Machine Operator salary in New Jersey
Sewing Machine Operators in New Jersey earn a median of $36,130 a year ($17.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,170 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $36,670. New Jersey ranks 29th 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 $37,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $33,330 | $16.03 |
| Median | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| 75th percentile | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Average (mean) | $37,760 | $18.15 |
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 | $3,010.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,505.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,389.62 |
| Weekly | $694.81 |
| Hourly | $17.37 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37,780 | 6,700 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $37,620 | 50 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $36,150 | 170 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $35,820 | 340 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $35,360 | 1,400 |
| Vineland, NJ | $32,220 | 50 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Upholsterer | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $40,780 | $19.61 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,230 | $22.71 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Sewers, Hand | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,140 | $23.62 |
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in New Jersey is $36,130 a year, or $17.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in New Jersey earn at least $46,170 a year. The top 25% earn $39,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,220 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $33,330 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in New Jersey?
About 2,750 sewing machine operators are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.