Sewing Machine Operators Salary in Iowa City, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Iowa City, IA

Median annual salary $45,410 +26.1% vs national
Median hourly $21.83
10th percentile $33,280
90th percentile $45,410
Employed locally 40
National median $36,000

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Sewing Machine Operators
in
Iowa City, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,280
    25th
    $37,300
    50th (median)
    $45,410
    75th
    $45,410
    90th
    $45,410

    Iowa City economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,142 2023 • Census ACS
    Sewing Machine Operators salary vs area income 61% Median Sewing Machine Operators salary is 39% 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
    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
    Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area $39,280

    Related occupations in Iowa City, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $40,270
    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $43,700
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $66,210
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $46,020
    Butchers and Meat Cutters $32,280
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $35,740

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sewing Machine Operators make per hour in Iowa City?

    The median hourly wage for Sewing Machine Operators in Iowa City, IA is $21.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.83 or more per hour.

    Is Iowa City above or below average for Sewing Machine Operators salaries?

    The median Sewing Machine Operators salary in Iowa City, IA is 26.1% 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 Iowa City?

    Entry-level Sewing Machine Operators (10th percentile) earn around $33,280 per year in Iowa City, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,300.