Sewing Machine Operator salary in Rochester, NY
Sewing Machine Operators in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $35,930 a year ($17.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,800 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 7% lower than the New York statewide median of $38,480. There are 0.82 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $33,670 | $16.19 |
| Median | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| 75th percentile | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Average (mean) | $37,150 | $17.86 |
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 | $2,994.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,497.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,381.92 |
| Weekly | $690.96 |
| Hourly | $17.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Glens Falls, NY | $50,000 | 40 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $43,650 | 130 |
| Binghamton, NY | $41,330 | 160 |
| Kingston, NY | $39,370 | 30 |
| Syracuse, NY | $37,850 | 80 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $37,790 | 110 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37,780 | 6,700 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $37,180 | 240 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $32,480 | 90 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $33,580 | $16.14 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $36,100 | $17.36 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $43,720 | $21.02 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,090 | $20.71 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,370 | $23.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Machinist | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,230 | $23.67 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $41,790 | $20.09 |
| Food Batchmaker | $49,180 | $23.65 |
| Baker | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Printing Press Operator | $47,720 | $22.94 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Rochester, NY metro area is $35,930 a year, or $17.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $45,800 a year. The top 25% earn $37,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $33,670 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Rochester, NY?
About 400 sewing machine operators are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.