Sewing Machine Operator salary in Michigan City-La Porte, IN
Sewing Machine Operators in the Michigan City-La Porte, IN metro area earn a median of $31,200 a year ($15.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,870 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 19% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $38,440. There are 0.97 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Michigan City-La Porte, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,360 | $13.63 |
| 25th percentile | $29,930 | $14.39 |
| Median | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 75th percentile | $35,910 | $17.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,870 | $19.65 |
| Average (mean) | $32,310 | $15.53 |
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 | $2,600 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,300 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,200 |
| Weekly | $600 |
| Hourly | $15.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,200 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 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $36,910 | 710 |
| 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 |
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 Michigan City-La Porte, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $41,060 | $19.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $63,240 | $30.41 |
| Food Batchmaker | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,600 | $21.93 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,420 | $25.68 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $39,050 | $18.78 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Machinist | $51,700 | $24.86 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $42,980 | $20.66 |
| Baker | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,300 | $22.26 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Michigan City-La Porte, 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 Michigan City-La Porte, IN?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Michigan City-La Porte, IN metro area is $31,200 a year, or $15.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Michigan City-La Porte, IN metro area earn at least $40,870 a year. The top 25% earn $35,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,360 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $29,930 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Michigan City-La Porte, IN?
About 40 sewing machine operators are employed in the Michigan City-La Porte, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.