SOC 51-6031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Sewing Machine Operators — San Francisco
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In San Francisco, CA the median wage for Sewing Machine Operators is $44,880 a year, which is 22.4% higher than the national figure of $36,670.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In San Francisco, CA the median wage for Sewing Machine Operators is $44,880 a year, which is 22.4% higher than the national figure of $36,670. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $39,690 and $47,830. The lowest tenth earn under $38,830, while the highest tenth earn more than $58,440.
Employment stands at 740, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. San Jose leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $47,220. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 638th of 688 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,830 | +5.9% |
| 25th | $39,690 | +8.2% |
| Median (50th) | $44,880 | +22.4% |
| 75th | $47,830 | +30.4% |
| 90th | $58,440 | +59.4% |
| Mean | $46,380 | +26.5% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $47,220 | 220 | |
| 2 | Santa Cruz | $44,350 | 40 | |
| 3 | Stockton | $43,500 | 120 | |
| 4 | Napa | $42,550 | 30 | |
| 5 | Sacramento | $42,080 | 190 | |
| 6 | Merced | $40,630 | 30 | |
| 7 | Oxnard | $39,800 | 180 | |
| 8 | Riverside | $39,570 | 730 | |
| 9 | Santa Maria | $39,420 | 80 | |
| 10 | San Diego | $39,070 | 820 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Francisco run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $44,880 buys what $40,542 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,880as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,542US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,880 a year, 22.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,830 to $58,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 740 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $47,220.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Sewing Machine Operators in San Francisco, CA?
The median annual wage is $44,880, or $21.58 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 San Francisco, CA is 22.4% 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 San Francisco, CA earns more than $58,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,830 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 San Jose, at $47,220 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 740 jobs in this occupation in San Francisco, CA. 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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