Sewing Machine Operator salary in Pennsylvania
Sewing Machine Operators in Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,640 a year ($17.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,510 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pennsylvania ranks 35th of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 0.56 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,340 | $13.63 |
| 25th percentile | $30,850 | $14.83 |
| Median | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| 75th percentile | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Average (mean) | $36,180 | $17.40 |
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 | $2,970 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,485 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,370.77 |
| Weekly | $685.38 |
| Hourly | $17.13 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| York-Hanover, PA | $39,430 | 140 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $38,630 | 290 |
| Reading, PA | $37,820 | 240 |
| Erie, PA | $36,990 | 50 |
| Lebanon, PA | $36,530 | 30 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $35,820 | 340 |
| Lancaster, PA | $35,630 | 190 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,440 | 490 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $35,380 | 100 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $35,360 | 1,400 |
| Johnstown, PA | $30,160 | 30 |
| Williamsport, PA | $29,260 | 30 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $29,880 | $14.36 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,580 | $21.92 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $55,960 | $26.90 |
| Upholsterer | $42,860 | $20.61 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Sewers, Hand | $35,560 | $17.09 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,690 | $17.64 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $34,870 | $16.77 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,160 | $21.23 |
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Pennsylvania is $35,640 a year, or $17.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Pennsylvania earn at least $45,510 a year. The top 25% earn $39,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,340 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $30,850 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Pennsylvania?
About 3,390 sewing machine operators are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.