Sewing Machine Operator salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Sewing Machine Operators in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $37,500 a year ($18.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,840 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 10% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $34,220. There are 0.79 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,980, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,570 | $10.37 |
| 25th percentile | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Median | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| 75th percentile | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Average (mean) | $36,980 | $17.78 |
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 | $3,125 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,562.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,442.31 |
| Weekly | $721.15 |
| Hourly | $18.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TN | $37,380 | 50 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36,800 | 180 |
| Cleveland, TN | $36,400 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,990 | 430 |
| Morristown, TN | $33,850 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $33,680 | 520 |
| Johnson City, TN | $33,420 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $32,690 | 50 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,070 | $16.86 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $29,460 | $14.17 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Upholsterer | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $56,400 | $27.12 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,510 | $19.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,470 | $33.88 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| Baker | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| Machinist | $51,430 | $24.72 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,220 | $22.22 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $37,500 a year, or $18.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $47,840 a year. The top 25% earn $44,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,570 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $27,600 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 870 sewing machine operators are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.