Sewing Machine Operator salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Sewing Machine Operators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $31,170 a year ($14.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,330 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 5% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $29,600. There are 0.31 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $31,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,180 | $10.18 |
| 25th percentile | $24,360 | $11.71 |
| Median | $31,170 | $14.99 |
| 75th percentile | $34,830 | $16.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,330 | $19.87 |
| Average (mean) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
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 | $2,597.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,298.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,198.85 |
| Weekly | $599.42 |
| Hourly | $14.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $31,950 | 130 |
| Lafayette, LA | $28,640 | 110 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $29,960 | $14.41 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $33,560 | $16.14 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,990 | $37.50 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $107,490 | $51.68 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $94,450 | $45.41 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Baker | $28,530 | $13.72 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,990 | $20.67 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $30,430 | $14.63 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Machinist | $66,990 | $32.21 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $31,170 a year, or $14.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $41,330 a year. The top 25% earn $34,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,180 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $24,360 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 140 sewing machine operators are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.