Sewing Machine Operator salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
Sewing Machine Operators in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median of $45,160 a year ($21.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,400 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 4% higher than the Maine statewide median of $43,520. There are 0.82 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,260, close to the median.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| 25th percentile | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Median | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| 75th percentile | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,400 | $26.15 |
| Average (mean) | $44,260 | $21.28 |
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 | $3,763.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,881.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,736.92 |
| Weekly | $868.46 |
| Hourly | $21.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maine 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | $46,060 | 70 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $44,670 | 160 |
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 Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,640 | $18.10 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $61,070 | $29.36 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $82,740 | $39.78 |
| Machinist | $65,200 | $31.34 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $66,420 | $31.93 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Baker | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | $64,760 | $31.13 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $50,260 | $24.16 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $51,420 | $24.72 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Portland-South Portland, ME
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 Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $45,160 a year, or $21.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn at least $54,400 a year. The top 25% earn $48,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Portland-South Portland, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,920 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $38,200 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Portland-South Portland, ME?
About 240 sewing machine operators are employed in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.