Sewing Machine Operator salary in New Mexico
Sewing Machine Operators in New Mexico earn a median of $34,840 a year ($16.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,240 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $36,670. New Mexico ranks 41st of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 0.25 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $34,750, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,620 | $13.76 |
| 25th percentile | $29,970 | $14.41 |
| Median | $34,840 | $16.75 |
| 75th percentile | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,240 | $20.31 |
| Average (mean) | $34,750 | $16.71 |
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 | $2,903.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,451.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,340 |
| Weekly | $670 |
| Hourly | $16.75 |
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 Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $35,660 | 40 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $33,860 | 100 |
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 Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $30,850 | $14.83 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $28,730 | $13.81 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $43,350 | $20.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Baker | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| Machinist | $59,440 | $28.58 |
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 Mexico?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in New Mexico is $34,840 a year, or $16.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in New Mexico earn at least $42,240 a year. The top 25% earn $37,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,620 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $29,970 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in New Mexico?
About 220 sewing machine operators are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.