Sewing Machine Operators Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $35,960 -0.1% vs national
Median hourly $17.29
10th percentile $23,190
90th percentile $44,790
Employed locally 210
National median $36,000

Compare Sewing Machine Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Charleston, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Sewing Machine Operators
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,190
    25th
    $29,490
    50th (median)
    $35,960
    75th
    $38,660
    90th
    $44,790

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Sewing Machine Operators salary vs area income 44% Median Sewing Machine Operators salary is 56% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Sewing Machine Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $49,980
    Appleton, WI $48,880
    Glens Falls, NY $48,380
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $46,990
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $46,450
    Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC $46,360

    Nearby metros — Sewing Machine Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $43,460
    Wisconsin $38,940
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $38,910
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $38,380
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $37,590
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $36,400

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$48,030
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$78,730
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$44,840
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$52,000
    Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$50,180
    Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$60,390

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sewing Machine Operators make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Sewing Machine Operators in Charleston, SC is $17.29, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.25 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Sewing Machine Operators salaries?

    The median Sewing Machine Operators salary in Charleston, SC is 0.1% below the national median of $36,000. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Sewing Machine Operators in Charleston?

    Entry-level Sewing Machine Operators (10th percentile) earn around $23,190 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,490.