Sewing Machine Operators Salary in California
The median pay for a sewing machine operators in California is $37,010/year ($17.79/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $48K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $37K get you in California?
About sewing machine operators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level sewing machine operators (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K. Top earners bring in $48K or more, a $14K spread from bottom to top.
Sewing Machine Operators salary by metro in California
15 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $47K | +27% | 40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $46K | +24% | 270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $43K | +17% | 970 |
| Vallejo | $43K | +17% | 30 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $42K | +14% | 120 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $40K | +7% | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $40K | +7% | 220 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $39K | +6% | 60 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $38K | +3% | 190 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $38K | +3% | 110 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $38K | +3% | 900 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $37K | +1% | 820 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $36K | -2% | 10,400 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $36K | -2% | 60 |
| Fresno | $36K | -2% | 100 |
Showing 1–10 of 15 metros
Compare to other states
Track sewing machine operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do sewing machine operators make in California?
The median is $37,010 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,510, and experienced sewing machine operators can clear $48,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,593/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 95.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a sewing machine operators salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median sewing machine operators salary is worth about $34,869 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do sewing machine operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.