Sewing Machine Operator salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Sewing Machine Operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $35,440 a year ($17.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,530 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 1% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $35,640. There are 0.44 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $35,240, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,340 | $13.63 |
| 25th percentile | $31,910 | $15.34 |
| Median | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| 75th percentile | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,530 | $19.96 |
| Average (mean) | $35,240 | $16.94 |
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 | $2,953.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,476.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,363.08 |
| Weekly | $681.54 |
| Hourly | $17.04 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Sewing Machine Operator pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $32,140 | $15.45 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $29,840 | $14.35 |
| Upholsterer | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,690 | $36.87 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,810 | $22.02 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,610 | $25.78 |
| Machinist | $55,880 | $26.86 |
| Baker | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,770 | $22.01 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $35,440 a year, or $17.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $41,530 a year. The top 25% earn $37,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,340 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $31,910 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 490 sewing machine operators are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.