Sewing Machine Operator salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Sewing Machine Operators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $36,800 a year ($17.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,480 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 3% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $35,610. There are 0.58 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| 25th percentile | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| Median | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| 75th percentile | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Average (mean) | $37,890 | $18.22 |
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 | $3,066.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,533.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,415.38 |
| Weekly | $707.69 |
| Hourly | $17.69 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,640 | 600 |
| Springfield, MO | $36,300 | 210 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,220 | 3,450 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,220 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $34,060 | 70 |
| Peoria, IL | $33,060 | 80 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $31,040 | 40 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,910 | $16.79 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $32,030 | $15.40 |
| Upholsterer | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,210 | $36.16 |
| Machinist | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,790 | $24.90 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,900 | $19.66 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,640 | $24.83 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $40,190 | $19.32 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $36,800 a year, or $17.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $44,480 a year. The top 25% earn $39,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,360 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $35,270 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 780 sewing machine operators are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.