Sewing Machine Operator salary in North Carolina
Sewing Machine Operators in North Carolina earn a median of $35,160 a year ($16.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,570 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $36,670. North Carolina ranks 40th of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 1.7 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,560 | $12.77 |
| 25th percentile | $28,940 | $13.91 |
| Median | $35,160 | $16.91 |
| 75th percentile | $40,150 | $19.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Average (mean) | $36,250 | $17.43 |
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 | $2,930 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,465 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,352.31 |
| Weekly | $676.15 |
| Hourly | $16.91 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $46,540 | 1,860 |
| Asheville, NC | $37,210 | 320 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $35,730 | 300 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $34,940 | 1,640 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $34,850 | 320 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $32,470 | 1,460 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $30,960 | 340 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $30,150 | 450 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $29,640 | 150 |
| Burlington, NC | $29,570 | 180 |
| Greenville, NC | $29,280 | 70 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $29,230 | 100 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $28,560 | 130 |
| Wilmington, NC | $28,510 | 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,920 | $15.35 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Upholsterer | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,700 | $17.64 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $43,460 | $20.90 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $41,260 | $19.84 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | $48,180 | $23.17 |
| Sewers, Hand | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,330 | $19.39 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in North Carolina is $35,160 a year, or $16.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in North Carolina earn at least $48,570 a year. The top 25% earn $40,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,560 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $28,940 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in North Carolina?
About 8,290 sewing machine operators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.