Sewing Machine Operator salary in Wichita, KS
Sewing Machine Operators in the Wichita, KS metro area earn a median of $30,590 a year ($14.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,440 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 13% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $35,360. There are 0.70 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Wichita, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,720 | $11.89 |
| 25th percentile | $29,530 | $14.20 |
| Median | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| 75th percentile | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,440 | $20.41 |
| Average (mean) | $33,150 | $15.94 |
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 | $2,549.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,274.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,176.54 |
| Weekly | $588.27 |
| Hourly | $14.71 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,640 | 600 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $31,040 | 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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wichita, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,100 | $14.95 |
| Upholsterer | $41,790 | $20.09 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $29,110 | $14.00 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $59,850 | $28.77 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $63,030 | $30.31 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,030 | $36.56 |
| Machinist | $50,540 | $24.30 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $58,770 | $28.26 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,100 | $21.68 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,460 | $21.86 |
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 Wichita, KS?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Wichita, KS metro area is $30,590 a year, or $14.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Wichita, KS?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Wichita, KS metro area earn at least $42,440 a year. The top 25% earn $36,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Wichita, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,720 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $29,530 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Wichita, KS?
About 220 sewing machine operators are employed in the Wichita, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.