Sewing Machine Operator salary in Richmond, VA
Sewing Machine Operators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $35,310 a year ($16.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,470 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 1% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $35,790. There are 0.32 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $37,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| 25th percentile | $29,910 | $14.38 |
| Median | $35,310 | $16.97 |
| 75th percentile | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,470 | $23.30 |
| Average (mean) | $37,730 | $18.14 |
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 | $2,942.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,471.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,358.08 |
| Weekly | $679.04 |
| Hourly | $16.97 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $41,410 | 660 |
| Roanoke, VA | $36,750 | 220 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $35,730 | 300 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $33,220 | $15.97 |
| Upholsterer | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $28,830 | $13.86 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $47,370 | $22.77 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,630 | $35.40 |
| Baker | $31,500 | $15.14 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,710 | $23.42 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Machinist | $62,650 | $30.12 |
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Richmond, VA metro area is $35,310 a year, or $16.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $48,470 a year. The top 25% earn $44,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,080 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $29,910 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Richmond, VA?
About 210 sewing machine operators are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.