Sewing Machine Operator salary in Virginia
Sewing Machine Operators in Virginia earn a median of $35,790 a year ($17.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,760 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $36,670. Virginia ranks 32nd of 50 states for sewing machine operators pay. There are 0.49 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $36,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| 25th percentile | $29,730 | $14.30 |
| Median | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| 75th percentile | $42,240 | $20.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| Average (mean) | $36,550 | $17.57 |
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 | $2,982.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,491.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,376.54 |
| Weekly | $688.27 |
| Hourly | $17.21 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $41,410 | 660 |
| Roanoke, VA | $36,750 | 220 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $35,730 | 300 |
| Richmond, VA | $35,310 | 210 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $32,140 | $15.45 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,770 | $24.41 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $31,220 | $15.01 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $40,770 | $19.60 |
| Upholsterer | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $34,410 | $16.55 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,900 | $21.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,150 | $35.65 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,180 | $28.45 |
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 Virginia?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in Virginia is $35,790 a year, or $17.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Virginia?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in Virginia earn at least $46,760 a year. The top 25% earn $42,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,470 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $29,730 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Virginia?
About 2,010 sewing machine operators are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.