Sewing Machine Operator salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Sewing Machine Operators in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $36,150 a year ($17.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,150 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is about the same as the New Jersey statewide median of $36,130. There are 0.72 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $33,680 | $16.19 |
| Median | $36,150 | $17.38 |
| 75th percentile | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Average (mean) | $37,700 | $18.12 |
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 | $3,012.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,506.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,390.38 |
| Weekly | $695.19 |
| Hourly | $17.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37,780 | 6,700 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $37,620 | 50 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $35,820 | 340 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $35,360 | 1,400 |
| Vineland, NJ | $32,220 | 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 |
See Sewing Machine Operator pay in every state or the New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,990 | $23.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,240 | $37.62 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,320 | $18.90 |
| Baker | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $55,230 | $26.55 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $34,440 | $16.56 |
| Printing Press Operator | $55,920 | $26.89 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $54,640 | $26.27 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,350 | $16.99 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $36,150 a year, or $17.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $45,150 a year. The top 25% earn $45,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,220 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $33,680 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 170 sewing machine operators are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.