SOC 51-6031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Sewing Machine Operators — Wausau
Wausau, WI · 8 metro areas compared
At $39,110, median pay for Sewing Machine Operators in Wausau, WI tracks the national median of $36,670 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $39,110, median pay for Sewing Machine Operators in Wausau, WI tracks the national median of $36,670 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $33,960 and $41,340. The lowest tenth earn under $31,330, while the highest tenth earn more than $45,810.
Employment stands at 30, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. 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 223rd of 268 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,330 | −14.6% |
| 25th | $33,960 | −7.4% |
| Median (50th) | $39,110 | +6.7% |
| 75th | $41,340 | +12.7% |
| 90th | $45,810 | +24.9% |
| Mean | $38,460 | +4.9% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appleton | $48,460 | 110 | |
| 2 | Janesville | $40,130 | 80 | |
| 3 | Madison | $40,040 | — | |
| 4 | Fond du Lac | $39,810 | 60 | |
| 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 Wausau run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $39,110 goes as far as $41,562 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,110as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,562US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,110 a year, 6.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,330 to $45,810 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Appleton, at $48,460.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Sewing Machine Operators in Wausau, WI?
The median annual wage is $39,110, or $18.80 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 Wausau, WI is 6.7% 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 Wausau, WI earns more than $45,810 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,330 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.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 jobs in this occupation in Wausau, WI. 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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