Sewing Machine Operator salary in Owensboro, KY
Sewing Machine Operators in the Owensboro, KY metro area earn a median of $25,980 a year ($12.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,790 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 12% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $29,460. There are 3.1 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $27,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Owensboro, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,690 | $10.91 |
| 25th percentile | $22,690 | $10.91 |
| Median | $25,980 | $12.49 |
| 75th percentile | $30,670 | $14.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,790 | $16.72 |
| Average (mean) | $27,970 | $13.45 |
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 | $2,165 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,082.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $999.23 |
| Weekly | $499.62 |
| Hourly | $12.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $36,170 | 300 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,680 | 820 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $32,930 | 440 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $32,690 | 50 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $32,230 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29,210 | 30 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $26,260 | 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 |
See Sewing Machine Operator pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Owensboro, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $27,500 | $13.22 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,700 | $24.86 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Food Batchmaker | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,320 | $33.33 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $39,970 | $19.21 |
| Machinist | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $63,720 | $30.63 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $57,810 | $27.80 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $36,430 | $17.52 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $33,430 | $16.07 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Owensboro, KY
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 Owensboro, KY?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Owensboro, KY metro area is $25,980 a year, or $12.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Owensboro, KY?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Owensboro, KY metro area earn at least $34,790 a year. The top 25% earn $30,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Owensboro, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,690 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $22,690 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Owensboro, KY?
About 150 sewing machine operators are employed in the Owensboro, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.