Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Sewing Machine Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Sewing Machine Operators by $38K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Sewing Machine Operators land at $36,670 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: sewing machine operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Sewing Machine Operators is Nevada ($45,750); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Sewing Machine Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$36,670
$74,450
Hourly rate
$17.63/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$27,860
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$47,840
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
104,880
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-10.8%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Nevada
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Sewing Machine Operators median pay.

State
Sewing Machine Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Alaska
$43,850
$77,960
Colorado
$43,840
$78,890
Maine
$43,520
$78,970
Washington
$43,360
$79,310
Massachusetts
$42,910
$79,920
New Hampshire
$41,740
$79,310
Minnesota
$38,930
$78,550
Rhode Island
$38,670
$81,650
New York
$38,480
$78,580
Connecticut
$37,780
$83,150
Delaware
$37,690
$79,100
Wyoming
$36,510
$90,390
New Jersey
$36,130
$81,110
Maryland
$35,860
$78,520
Louisiana
$29,600
$77,520

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Sewing Machine Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $36,670 for Sewing Machine Operators versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $38K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Sewing Machine Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -10.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Sewing Machine Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Sewing Machine Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Sewing Machine Operators get paid the most?

Nevada is the top-paying state for Sewing Machine Operators at $45,750/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Sewing Machine Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Sewing Machine Operators earn $43,850 vs. $77,960 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Sewing Machine Operators salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Sewing Machine Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a sewing machine operatorsGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →