Sewing Machine Operator salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Sewing Machine Operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $44,350 a year ($21.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,300 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 2% higher than the Washington statewide median of $43,360. There are 0.51 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $44,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,530 | $18.52 |
| 25th percentile | $40,480 | $19.46 |
| Median | $44,350 | $21.32 |
| 75th percentile | $46,470 | $22.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,300 | $24.19 |
| Average (mean) | $44,730 | $21.51 |
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 | $3,695.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,847.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,705.77 |
| Weekly | $852.88 |
| Hourly | $21.32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $47,220 | 50 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $41,980 | 630 |
| Bellingham, WA | $39,650 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $38,420 | 190 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $43,610 | $20.96 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| Upholsterer | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,350 | $21.32 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $76,800 | $36.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $80,460 | $38.68 |
| Machinist | $74,560 | $35.85 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $58,370 | $28.06 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $110,470 | $53.11 |
| Baker | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $66,240 | $31.85 |
| Food Batchmaker | $42,370 | $20.37 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $44,350 a year, or $21.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $50,300 a year. The top 25% earn $46,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,530 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $40,480 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 1,060 sewing machine operators are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.