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Sewing Machine Operators Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Sewing Machine Operators make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$37,940
Median Annual Salary
▲
+2.5% vs 2024
$41,060
Mean Salary
$37,940
Median Salary
$18.24
Hourly Rate
13,240 people work as Sewing Machine Operators in California
Sewing Machine Operators salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Sewing Machine Operators in California earn a median salary of $37,940 per year ($3,161/month).
This is 2.1% above the national average of $37,162.
California ranks #19 out of 50 states for Sewing Machine Operators pay.
Approximately 13,240 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 2.5% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Sewing Machine Operators
Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
Top Skills
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
2.75
Critical Thinking
2.75
Complex Problem Solving
2.75
Operations Monitoring
2.75
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
2.72
Production and Processing
2.53
Mathematics
2.28
Education and Training
2.22
Customer and Personal Service
2.16
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
(52.9% of workers)
Salary Range: Sewing Machine Operators in California
Salaries for Sewing Machine Operators in California range from $34,950 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $49,040 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $36,380 and $44,280.
Median $37,940
P10: $34,950P25: $36,380P75: $44,280P90: $49,040
10th
$34,950
25th
$36,380
Median
$37,940
75th
$44,280
90th
$49,040
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$34,950
$16.80
$2,912
25th Percentile
$36,380
$17.49
$3,031
Median (50th)
$37,940
$18.24
$3,161
75th Percentile
$44,280
$21.29
$3,690
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$49,040
$23.58
$4,086
Note: The mean (average) salary of $41,060 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Sewing Machine Operators make in California?
The median annual salary for Sewing Machine Operators in California is $37,940 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $41,060.
What is the salary range for a Sewing Machine Operators in California?
Salaries for Sewing Machine Operators in California range from $34,950 at the 10th percentile to $49,040 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $36,380 and $44,280.
What is the starting salary for a Sewing Machine Operators in California?
Entry-level Sewing Machine Operators positions in California typically start around $34,950 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $36,380 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Sewing Machine Operators in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 13,240 people are employed as Sewing Machine Operators in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Sewing Machine Operators in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Sewing Machine Operators in California is approximately $18.24 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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