SOC 51-6031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Sewing Machine Operators — Madison
Madison, WI · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Madison, WI comes to $40,040 a year, ahead of the national median of $36,670 by 9.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Madison, WI comes to $40,040 a year, ahead of the national median of $36,670 by 9.2%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $35,850 and $45,710. The lowest tenth earn under $32,700, while the highest tenth earn more than $50,080.
Appleton leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $48,460. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 472nd of 534 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,700 | −10.8% |
| 25th | $35,850 | −2.2% |
| Median (50th) | $40,040 | +9.2% |
| 75th | $45,710 | +24.7% |
| 90th | $50,080 | +36.6% |
| Mean | $41,160 | +12.2% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appleton | $48,460 | 110 | |
| 2 | Janesville | $40,130 | 80 | |
| 3 | Fond du Lac | $39,810 | 60 | |
| 4 | Wausau | $39,110 | 30 | |
| 5 | Milwaukee | $38,600 | 560 | |
| 6 | Racine | $37,550 | 50 | |
| 7 | Green Bay | $36,820 | 110 | |
| 8 | La Crosse | $36,820 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Madison run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $40,040 goes as far as $42,550 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,040as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,550US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,040 a year, 9.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,700 to $50,080 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Appleton, at $48,460.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Sewing Machine Operators in Madison, WI?
The median annual wage is $40,040, or $19.25 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $36,670, so pay in Madison, WI is 9.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Madison, WI earns more than $50,080 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,700 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Appleton, at $48,460 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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