SOC 51-6031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Sewing Machine Operators — New Jersey
New Jersey · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $36,130 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $36,670.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $36,130 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $36,670. Half of workers earn between $33,330 and $39,100. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $32,220 and the ninetieth at $46,170.
The area has 2,750 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.95 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 50 states with published data for this occupation, New Jersey ranks 29th by median wage. Atlantic City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $37,620. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 713th of 736 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,220 | −12.1% |
| 25th | $33,330 | −9.1% |
| Median (50th) | $36,130 | −1.5% |
| 75th | $39,100 | +6.6% |
| 90th | $46,170 | +25.9% |
| Mean | $37,760 | +3.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in New Jersey
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic City | $37,620 | 50 | |
| 2 | Trenton | $36,150 | 170 | |
| 3 | Vineland | $32,220 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New Jersey run 8.8% above the national average, so the median of $36,130 buys what $33,208 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 9.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,130as reported by BLSLocal price level
108.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,208US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,130 a year, 1.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,220 to $46,170 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,750 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 29th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Atlantic City, at $37,620.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Sewing Machine Operators in New Jersey?
The median annual wage is $36,130, or $17.37 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 New Jersey is 1.5% lower. 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 New Jersey earns more than $46,170 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,220 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 Atlantic City, at $37,620 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,750 jobs in this occupation in New Jersey. Self-employed workers are not included.
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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