Sewing Machine Operator salary in South Dakota
Sewing Machine Operators in South Dakota earn a median of $39,000 a year ($18.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,030 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $36,670. South Dakota ranks 13th of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 0.65 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,630, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,350 | $13.63 |
| 25th percentile | $32,210 | $15.49 |
| Median | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| 75th percentile | $44,980 | $21.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,030 | $22.61 |
| Average (mean) | $38,630 | $18.57 |
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 | $3,250 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,625 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,500 |
| Weekly | $750 |
| Hourly | $18.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Sewing Machine Operator salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $38,610 | 70 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $36,300 | 30 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $32,780 | $15.76 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,040 | $35.12 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $53,370 | $25.66 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,860 | $21.09 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $43,180 | $20.76 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $40,750 | $19.59 |
| Machinist | $50,890 | $24.47 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $44,410 | $21.35 |
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in South Dakota is $39,000 a year, or $18.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in South Dakota earn at least $47,030 a year. The top 25% earn $44,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,350 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $32,210 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in South Dakota?
About 300 sewing machine operators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.