Sewing Machine Operator salary in Puerto Rico
Sewing Machine Operators in Puerto Rico earn a median of $21,840 a year ($10.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $22,550 for the top 10%. That is 40% lower than the national median of $36,670. There are 5.8 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $22,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Puerto Rico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Median | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 75th percentile | $21,930 | $10.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $22,550 | $10.84 |
| Average (mean) | $22,220 | $10.68 |
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 | $1,820 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $910 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $840 |
| Weekly | $420 |
| Hourly | $10.50 |
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 Puerto Rico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Arecibo, PR | $22,550 | 1,010 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $22,190 | 740 |
| Mayaguez, PR | $21,840 | 2,370 |
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 Puerto Rico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $22,630 | $10.88 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $21,980 | $10.57 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $22,880 | $11.00 |
| Sewers, Hand | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $23,190 | $11.15 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $24,610 | $11.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $45,100 | $21.68 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $29,870 | $14.36 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $27,970 | $13.45 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $23,170 | $11.14 |
| Baker | $22,170 | $10.66 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $22,780 | $10.95 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $30,220 | $14.53 |
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 Puerto Rico?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Puerto Rico is $21,840 a year, or $10.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $22,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Puerto Rico?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Puerto Rico earn at least $22,550 a year. The top 25% earn $21,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Puerto Rico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,840 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $21,840 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Puerto Rico?
About 5,410 sewing machine operators are employed in Puerto Rico, not counting the self-employed.