Sewing Machine Operator salary in Salem, OR
Sewing Machine Operators in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $38,200 a year ($18.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,280 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 4% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $39,780. There are 0.68 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,050 | $14.93 |
| 25th percentile | $37,930 | $18.24 |
| Median | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| 75th percentile | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,280 | $23.21 |
| Average (mean) | $41,580 | $19.99 |
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 | $3,183.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,591.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,469.23 |
| Weekly | $734.62 |
| Hourly | $18.37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR | $50,830 | 50 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $41,980 | 630 |
| Medford, OR | $38,700 | 60 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $36,230 | 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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,700 | $17.64 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $62,220 | $29.92 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Food Batchmaker | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Baker | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,290 | $22.73 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $45,310 | $21.78 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | $48,660 | $23.39 |
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Salem, OR metro area is $38,200 a year, or $18.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $48,280 a year. The top 25% earn $47,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,050 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $37,930 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Salem, OR?
About 130 sewing machine operators are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.