Sewing Machine Operator salary in Tucson, AZ
Sewing Machine Operators in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $41,660 a year ($20.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,950 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 4% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $40,210. There are 0.26 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $39,740, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $35,700 | $17.16 |
| Median | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| 75th percentile | $42,340 | $20.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,950 | $21.13 |
| Average (mean) | $39,740 | $19.11 |
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 | $3,471.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,735.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,602.31 |
| Weekly | $801.15 |
| Hourly | $20.03 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $40,910 | 1,200 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $41,330 | $19.87 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,260 | $33.78 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,150 | $24.59 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,540 | $21.90 |
| Machinist | $55,700 | $26.78 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $73,930 | $35.54 |
| Baker | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $44,970 | $21.62 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,290 | $22.26 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Printing Press Operator | $42,900 | $20.62 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,390 | $28.07 |
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $41,660 a year, or $20.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $43,950 a year. The top 25% earn $42,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,220 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $35,700 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Tucson, AZ?
About 100 sewing machine operators are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.