Sewing Machine Operators Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $46,990 +30.5% vs national
Median hourly $22.59
10th percentile $35,030
90th percentile $62,360
Employed locally 40
National median $36,000

Compare Sewing Machine Operators salary & buying power

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Sewing Machine Operators
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,030
    25th
    $36,250
    50th (median)
    $46,990
    75th
    $52,850
    90th
    $62,360

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Sewing Machine Operators salary vs area income 43% Median Sewing Machine Operators salary is 57% 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
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $46,450
    Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC $46,360
    Kingston, NY $46,170

    Nearby metros — Sewing Machine Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $45,910
    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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $45,660
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $41,750
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $70,680
    Bakers $38,330
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $50,570
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $48,830

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sewing Machine Operators make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Sewing Machine Operators in Santa Cruz, CA is $22.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.09 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Sewing Machine Operators salaries?

    The median Sewing Machine Operators salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 30.5% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Sewing Machine Operators (10th percentile) earn around $35,030 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,250.