Sewing Machine Operators Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $38,100 +5.8% vs national
Median hourly $18.32
10th percentile $29,220
90th percentile $51,210
Employed locally 110
National median $36,000

Compare Sewing Machine Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Des Moines, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Sewing Machine Operators
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,220
    25th
    $30,930
    50th (median)
    $38,100
    75th
    $45,620
    90th
    $51,210

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Sewing Machine Operators salary vs area income 45% Median Sewing Machine Operators salary is 55% 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
    Iowa City, IA $45,410
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $41,410
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $41,380
    Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area $40,130
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $40,040
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $39,310

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$43,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$69,590
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$49,200
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$50,950
    Butchers and Meat Cutters$36,140
    Bakers$36,460

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sewing Machine Operators make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Sewing Machine Operators in Des Moines, IA is $18.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.69 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Sewing Machine Operators salaries?

    The median Sewing Machine Operators salary in Des Moines, IA is 5.8% above 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Sewing Machine Operators (10th percentile) earn around $29,220 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,930.