Sewing Machine Operators
Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Sewing Machine Operators to decrease by -15.1% between 2024 and 2034, from 117,200 to 99,500 jobs. Its estimate of 9,800 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($36,670), education (No formal educational credential), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
117,200
Projected employment (2034)
99,500
Projected change (2024–2034)
-15%
Annual openings (projected average)
9,800
Pay & Preparation
$36,670
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Monitoring (3.12/5) • Quality Control Analysis (2.75/5) • Critical Thinking (2.75/5) • Judgment and Decision Making (2.75/5) • Time Management (2.75/5) • Active Listening (2.75/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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