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Salary comparison

Sewing Machine Operators vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators out-earn Sewing Machine Operators by $8K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Sewing Machine Operators land at $36,670 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators at $44,650. The education gap is real: sewing machine operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Sewing Machine Operators is Nevada ($45,750); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Sewing Machine Operators
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$36,670
$44,650
Hourly rate
$17.63/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$27,860
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$47,840
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
104,880
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
-10.8%
-0.1%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Nevada
District of Columbia

Pay by state

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

State
Sewing Machine Operators
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Nevada
$45,750
$49,050
Alaska
$43,850
$49,390
Colorado
$43,840
$46,150
Maine
$43,520
$45,970
Washington
$43,360
$48,260
Massachusetts
$42,910
$46,720
New Hampshire
$41,740
$46,940
Oregon
$39,780
$46,910
Hawaii
$39,230
$49,630
Minnesota
$38,930
$46,920
California
$37,940
$47,720
Iowa
$35,870
$48,920
North Dakota
$35,700
$47,250
Missouri
$35,610
$46,480
Kentucky
$29,460
$47,950

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Sewing Machine Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators earn more nationally. The median is $36,670 for Sewing Machine Operators versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators, a difference of $8K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Sewing Machine Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators has the better 10-year outlook at -0.1% projected growth, compared to -10.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Sewing Machine Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Sewing Machine Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators 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. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Nevada, Sewing Machine Operators earn $45,750 vs. $49,050 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Sewing Machine Operators salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Sewing Machine Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by take-home payExplore →How to become a sewing machine operatorsGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →