Sewing Machine Operator salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Sewing Machine Operators in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $36,910 a year ($17.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,390 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 4% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $38,440. There are 0.64 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,410 | $14.62 |
| 25th percentile | $31,760 | $15.27 |
| Median | $36,910 | $17.74 |
| 75th percentile | $44,230 | $21.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,390 | $22.78 |
| Average (mean) | $38,070 | $18.30 |
Half of sewing machine operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,075.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,537.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,419.62 |
| Weekly | $709.81 |
| Hourly | $17.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Sewing Machine Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Evansville, IN | $43,800 | 180 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $40,130 | 470 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $37,090 | 220 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $36,250 | 40 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,220 | 3,450 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $35,120 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,680 | 820 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $32,930 | 440 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $32,470 | 200 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $31,200 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for sewing machine operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $45,750 |
| Alaska | $43,850 |
| Colorado | $43,840 |
| Maine | $43,520 |
| Washington | $43,360 |
| Massachusetts | $42,910 |
| New Hampshire | $41,740 |
| Vermont | $40,850 |
| Wisconsin | $40,370 |
| Arizona | $40,210 |
See Sewing Machine Operator pay in every state or the Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,040 | $14.92 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Upholsterer | $42,240 | $20.31 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $28,840 | $13.87 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $44,690 | $21.49 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $41,390 | $19.90 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Machinist | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,070 | $24.55 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $61,020 | $29.34 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,340 | $21.80 |
| Printing Press Operator | $44,810 | $21.54 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-6031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sewing machine operator make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $36,910 a year, or $17.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $47,390 a year. The top 25% earn $44,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,410 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $31,760 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 710 sewing machine operators are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.