Sewing Machine Operators Salary in East Tennessee

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $30,740 -14.6% vs national
Median hourly $14.78
10th percentile $17,800
90th percentile $46,440
Employed locally 310
National median $36,000

Compare Sewing Machine Operators salary & buying power

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Sewing Machine Operators
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East Tennessee
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $17,800
    25th
    $26,900
    50th (median)
    $30,740
    75th
    $41,770
    90th
    $46,440

    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

    Related occupations in East Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $41,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $59,240
    Production Workers, All Other $41,560
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $44,260
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $46,150
    Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $44,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sewing Machine Operators make per hour in East Tennessee?

    The median hourly wage for Sewing Machine Operators in East Tennessee is $14.78, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.03 or more per hour.

    Is East Tennessee above or below average for Sewing Machine Operators salaries?

    The median Sewing Machine Operators salary in East Tennessee is 14.6% 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 East Tennessee?

    Entry-level Sewing Machine Operators (10th percentile) earn around $17,800 per year in East Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,900.