Sewing Machine Operators Salary in Wilmington, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $35,490 -1.4% vs national
Median hourly $17.06
10th percentile $26,470
90th percentile $46,570
Employed locally 50
National median $36,000

Compare Sewing Machine Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Wilmington, NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Sewing Machine Operators
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Wilmington, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,470
    25th
    $30,000
    50th (median)
    $35,490
    75th
    $41,530
    90th
    $46,570

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 2023 • Census ACS
    Sewing Machine Operators salary vs area income 48% Median Sewing Machine Operators salary is 52% 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
    Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC $46,360
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $44,570
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $43,460
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $40,060
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $39,350
    North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $37,520

    Related occupations in Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $37,890
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $70,360
    Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators $82,920
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $55,700
    Bakers $34,410
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $47,830

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sewing Machine Operators make per hour in Wilmington?

    The median hourly wage for Sewing Machine Operators in Wilmington, NC is $17.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.03 or more per hour.

    Is Wilmington above or below average for Sewing Machine Operators salaries?

    The median Sewing Machine Operators salary in Wilmington, NC is 1.4% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Sewing Machine Operators (10th percentile) earn around $26,470 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,000.