Sewing Machine Operator salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Sewing Machine Operators in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn a median of $41,980 a year ($20.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,320 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $36,670. Pay here is 6% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $39,780. There are 0.52 sewing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $43,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| 25th percentile | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| Median | $41,980 | $20.18 |
| 75th percentile | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,320 | $25.64 |
| Average (mean) | $43,510 | $20.92 |
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 | $3,498.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,749.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,614.62 |
| Weekly | $807.31 |
| Hourly | $20.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR | $50,830 | 50 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $47,220 | 50 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $44,350 | 1,060 |
| Bellingham, WA | $39,650 | 50 |
| Medford, OR | $38,700 | 60 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $38,420 | 190 |
| Salem, OR | $38,200 | 130 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $36,230 | 300 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $39,290 | $18.89 |
| Upholsterer | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,180 | $22.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,510 | $36.79 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,460 | $28.10 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,140 | $23.15 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,440 | $21.85 |
| Baker | $43,440 | $20.88 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
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-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median salary for sewing machine operators in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $41,980 a year, or $20.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sewing machine operators make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The top 10% of sewing machine operators in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn at least $53,320 a year. The top 25% earn $49,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for sewing machine operators in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,890 a year, and a quarter of sewing machine operators earn $38,400 or less.
How many sewing machine operators work in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
About 630 sewing machine operators are employed in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.