Sewing Machine Operator salary in Syracuse, NY
Sewing Machine Operators in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $37,850 a year ($18.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,960 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 2% lower than the New York statewide median of $38,480. There are 0.27 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $41,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,540 | $15.65 |
| 25th percentile | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Median | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| 75th percentile | $45,440 | $21.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Average (mean) | $41,060 | $19.74 |
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 | $3,154.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,577.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,455.77 |
| Weekly | $727.88 |
| Hourly | $18.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Glens Falls, NY | $50,000 | 40 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $43,650 | 130 |
| Binghamton, NY | $41,330 | 160 |
| Kingston, NY | $39,370 | 30 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $37,790 | 110 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37,780 | 6,700 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $37,180 | 240 |
| Rochester, NY | $35,930 | 400 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $32,480 | 90 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $35,070 | $16.86 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,900 | $21.59 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,760 | $23.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $79,280 | $38.11 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,080 | $21.19 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $82,530 | $39.68 |
| Machinist | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $57,060 | $27.44 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,660 | $26.76 |
| Baker | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Printing Press Operator | $48,510 | $23.32 |
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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $37,850 a year, or $18.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $52,960 a year. The top 25% earn $45,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,540 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $34,860 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Syracuse, NY?
About 80 sewing machine operators are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.