Sewing Machine Operator salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Sewing Machine Operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $34,310 a year ($16.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,220 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 4% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $35,870. There are 0.71 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,790 | $10.96 |
| 25th percentile | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| Median | $34,310 | $16.49 |
| 75th percentile | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Average (mean) | $34,810 | $16.74 |
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 | $2,859.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,429.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,319.62 |
| Weekly | $659.81 |
| Hourly | $16.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $39,120 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $37,380 | 150 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $37,270 | 80 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $36,300 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,220 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $35,740 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,250 | $24.64 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Machinist | $58,100 | $27.93 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $34,310 a year, or $16.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $46,220 a year. The top 25% earn $38,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,790 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $29,350 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 60 sewing machine operators are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.