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Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

51-6031 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.

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Southeast Minnesota 23025$17.22/hr$13.38/hr$15.07/hr$17.53/hr$18.21/hr$21.47/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Manufacturing1,830$17.90/hr
Trade, Transportation and Utilities580$17.99/hr
InformationN/AN/A
Financial ActivitiesN/AN/A
Professional and Business Services40$18.36/hr
Leisure and HospitalityN/AN/A
Other Services40$16.15/hr
Public AdministrationN/AN/A
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Northeast Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Rochester MN MSA 30$18.93/hrN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA 40$18.13/hrN/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA 60$14.28/hrN/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA 100$18.16/hrN/A
Southwest Minnesota 120$15.57/hr-13.8%
Southwest Balance of State 120$15.57/hrN/A
St Cloud MN MSA 150$17.22/hrN/A
Southeast Balance of State 200$16.96/hrN/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA 220$17.13/hrN/A
Northeast Minnesota 220$17.13/hr-5.9%
Southeast Minnesota 230$17.53/hr-6.5%
Northwest Balance of State 250$17.90/hrN/A
Northwest Minnesota 270$17.90/hr-11.0%
Central Minnesota 290$17.22/hr-9.2%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 1,280$18.58/hr-4.9%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 1,410$18.58/hrN/A
Minnesota 2,530$17.90/hr-6.1%




  • Record quantities of materials processed.
  • Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
  • Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.
  • Cut excess material or thread from finished products.
  • Repair or alter items by adding replacement parts or missing stitches.
  • Turn knobs, screws, and dials to adjust settings of machines, according to garment styles and equipment performance.
  • Perform equipment maintenance tasks such as replacing needles, sanding rough areas of needles, or cleaning and oiling sewing machines.
  • Inspect garments, and examine repair tags and markings on garments to locate defects or damage, and mark errors as necessary.
  • Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
  • Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.