Sewing Machine Operators Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $45,910 +27.5% vs national
Median hourly $22.07
10th percentile $39,410
90th percentile $57,250
Employed locally 270
National median $36,000

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Sewing Machine Operators
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,410
    25th
    $40,430
    50th (median)
    $45,910
    75th
    $49,130
    90th
    $57,250

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Sewing Machine Operators salary vs area income 29% Median Sewing Machine Operators salary is 71% 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $43,460
    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 Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $48,430
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $51,210
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $58,460
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $88,990
    Production Workers, All Other $47,670
    Machinists $62,870

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Sewing Machine Operators in San Jose, CA is $22.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.55 or more per hour.

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

    The median Sewing Machine Operators salary in San Jose, CA is 27.5% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Sewing Machine Operators (10th percentile) earn around $39,410 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,430.