Sewing Machine Operators Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
The median pay for a sewing machine operators in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $46,360/year ($22.29/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $60K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.49), which stretches that salary to about $52,390 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,095/month — about 34% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $46K get you in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
About sewing machine operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Entry-level sewing machine operators (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K.Top earners bring in $60K or more - a $29K spread from bottom to top.
Sewing Machine Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $43K | +19% | 40 |
| Washington | $42K | +15% | 1,770 |
| New Hampshire | $41K | +15% | 290 |
| Rhode Island | $41K | +15% | 480 |
| Nevada | $41K | +13% | 1,400 |
| Minnesota | $41K | +13% | 2,370 |
| Massachusetts | $40K | +12% | 2,090 |
| Maine | $40K | +12% | 760 |
| Vermont | $40K | +11% | 300 |
| Arizona | $39K | +9% | 1,340 |
| North Dakota | $39K | +9% | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $39K | +8% | 2,440 |
| Mississippi | $39K | +7% | 2,620 |
| South Dakota | $38K | +6% | 270 |
| Oregon | $38K | +5% | 1,240 |
Track sewing machine operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do sewing machine operators make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median is $46,360 a year - that works out to about $22.29 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,200, and experienced sewing machine operators can clear $59,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,100/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,095/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 35.3% 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton has a Regional Price Parity of 88.49 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median sewing machine operators salary is worth about $52,390 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.