Sewing Machine Operator salary in Tennessee
Sewing Machine Operators in Tennessee earn a median of $34,220 a year ($16.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,800 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $36,670. Tennessee ranks 43rd of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 1.0 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,760, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,130 | $9.20 |
| 25th percentile | $23,500 | $11.30 |
| Median | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| 75th percentile | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Average (mean) | $33,760 | $16.23 |
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 | $2,851.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,425.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,316.15 |
| Weekly | $658.08 |
| Hourly | $16.45 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,500 | 870 |
| Jackson, TN | $37,380 | 50 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36,800 | 180 |
| Cleveland, TN | $36,400 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,990 | 430 |
| Morristown, TN | $33,850 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $33,680 | 520 |
| Johnson City, TN | $33,420 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $32,690 | 50 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $33,220 | $15.97 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Upholsterer | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $29,460 | $14.17 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $33,550 | $16.13 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,310 | $31.40 |
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Tennessee is $34,220 a year, or $16.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Tennessee earn at least $46,800 a year. The top 25% earn $40,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,130 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $23,500 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Tennessee?
About 3,300 sewing machine operators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.