Sewing Machine Operator salary in Traverse City, MI
Sewing Machine Operators in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn a median of $37,900 a year ($18.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,070 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 1% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $37,490. There are 2.0 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Traverse City, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| 25th percentile | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Median | $37,900 | $18.22 |
| 75th percentile | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Average (mean) | $41,720 | $20.06 |
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 | $3,158.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,579.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,457.69 |
| Weekly | $728.85 |
| Hourly | $18.22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $38,480 | 480 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $38,130 | 1,150 |
| Flint, MI | $38,130 | 40 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $37,350 | 70 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $34,960 | n/a |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $32,470 | 200 |
| Saginaw, MI | $30,360 | 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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Traverse City, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Baker | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| Machinist | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Food Batchmaker | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,190 | $21.24 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $54,020 | $25.97 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,870 | $22.54 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Printing Press Operator | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,420 | $19.91 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Traverse City, MI
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 Traverse City, MI?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Traverse City, MI metro area is $37,900 a year, or $18.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Traverse City, MI?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn at least $49,070 a year. The top 25% earn $48,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Traverse City, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,340 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $37,870 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Traverse City, MI?
About 130 sewing machine operators are employed in the Traverse City, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.