Sewing Machine Operators Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $43,460 +20.7% vs national
Median hourly $20.89
10th percentile $37,270
90th percentile $55,960
Employed locally 970
National median $36,000

Compare Sewing Machine Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Sewing Machine Operators
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,270
    25th
    $38,470
    50th (median)
    $43,460
    75th
    $48,360
    90th
    $55,960

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Sewing Machine Operators salary vs area income 32% Median Sewing Machine Operators salary is 68% 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
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $46,990
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $45,910
    Vallejo, CA $43,180
    Napa, CA $42,550
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $42,090
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $41,380

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $52,330
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $58,950
    Bakers $45,620
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $54,700
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $83,130
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $47,140

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sewing Machine Operators make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Sewing Machine Operators in San Francisco, CA is $20.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.10 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Sewing Machine Operators salaries?

    The median Sewing Machine Operators salary in San Francisco, CA is 20.7% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Sewing Machine Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,270 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,470.