Sewing Machine Operator salary in Rockford, IL
Sewing Machine Operators in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median of $34,060 a year ($16.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,960 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 6% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $36,220. There are 0.48 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $36,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Rockford, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| 75th percentile | $40,000 | $19.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| Average (mean) | $36,050 | $17.33 |
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 | $2,838.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,419.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,310 |
| Weekly | $655 |
| Hourly | $16.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $36,800 | 780 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,220 | 3,450 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,220 | 70 |
| Peoria, IL | $33,060 | 80 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rockford, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,950 | $16.81 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Machinist | $49,700 | $23.89 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,990 | $19.71 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Food Batchmaker | $52,500 | $25.24 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,030 | $22.61 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $52,900 | $25.43 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,230 | $18.38 |
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 Rockford, IL?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Rockford, IL metro area is $34,060 a year, or $16.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Rockford, IL?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Rockford, IL metro area earn at least $43,960 a year. The top 25% earn $40,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Rockford, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $31,200 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Rockford, IL?
About 70 sewing machine operators are employed in the Rockford, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.