How much does a sewing machine operator make in California?
$37,940a year
Median yearly pay for sewing machine operators in California. That is $18.24 an hour or $3,162 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.24
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among states
- 19 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 13,240
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,950Median: $37,940Highest 10%: $49,040
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,950 | $16.80 | |
| 25th | $36,380 | $17.49 | |
| Median | $37,940 | $18.24 | |
| 75th | $44,280 | $21.29 | |
| 90th | $49,040 | $23.58 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $47,220 |
| San Francisco, CA | $44,880 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $44,350 |
| Stockton, CA | $43,500 |
| Napa, CA | $42,550 |
| Sacramento, CA | $42,080 |
| Merced, CA | $40,630 |
| Oxnard, CA | $39,800 |
| Riverside, CA | $39,570 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $39,420 |
| San Diego, CA | $39,070 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $38,610 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $38,550 |
| Fresno, CA | $38,270 |
| Modesto, CA | $38,100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $37,130 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $36,740 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for sewing machine operators.
| 16. New York | $38,480 |
| 17. Indiana | $38,440 |
| 18. South Carolina | $38,250 |
| 19. California | $37,940 |
| 20. Connecticut | $37,780 |
| 21. Delaware | $37,690 |
| 22. Mississippi | $37,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sewing machine operator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $18.24 ($37,940 a year).
Do sewing machine operators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $37,940 against $36,670 nationally, 3% more.
Where does California rank for sewing machine operator pay?
California ranks 19 of 50 states.
Which city in California pays sewing machine operators the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $47,220 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.