Sewing Machine Operator salary in North Dakota
Sewing Machine Operators in North Dakota earn a median of $35,700 a year ($17.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,080 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $36,670. North Dakota ranks 34th 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 $38,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,950 | $13.44 |
| 25th percentile | $33,260 | $15.99 |
| Median | $35,700 | $17.16 |
| 75th percentile | $42,110 | $20.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,080 | $26.48 |
| Average (mean) | $38,150 | $18.34 |
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 | $2,975 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,487.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,373.08 |
| Weekly | $686.54 |
| Hourly | $17.16 |
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 Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $35,730 | 70 |
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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,470 | $18.01 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| Upholsterer | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,250 | $22.71 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $93,130 | $44.77 |
| Baker | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,390 | $22.78 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| Machinist | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,470 | $29.07 |
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 Dakota?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in North Dakota is $35,700 a year, or $17.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in North Dakota earn at least $55,080 a year. The top 25% earn $42,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,950 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $33,260 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in North Dakota?
About 110 sewing machine operators are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.