What do they do?

Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.

Also known as:

Carpet Sewer, Glove Sewer, Line Closer, Machine Operator, Overcaster, Prototype Sewer, Repair Operator, Sample Maker, Seamer, Seamstress, Sew On Operator, Sewer, Sewing Machine Operator, Sewing Operator, Stitcher, Upholstery Sewer, Zipper Machine Operator, Zipper Setter, Zipper Sewer

Typical Wages

Projected Growth Rate

Employment of Sewing Machine Operators is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.

Projected Employment in OH

No Data Available
  • -0.2%

    Change

    Ranks #23 in job growth rate
    500

    Job Openings

    Ranks #8 in net job growth

Best colleges for Sewing Machine Operators

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Colleges with the most graduates that become Sewing Machine Operators

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Education Level

Percent of workers in this field with these degrees:

  • Less than high school diploma  (37%)
  • High school diploma equivalent  (35%)
  • Some college, no degree  (14%)
  • Bachelor's degree  (6%)
  • Associate's degree  (6%)
  • Master's degree  (1%)
  • Doctorate or Professional Degree  (<1%)

Typical College Majors

Most Popular Majors that prepare Sewing Machine Operators

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People in this career often have talent in:

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

People in this career often do these activities:

  • Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
  • Cut fabrics.
  • Load materials into production equipment.
  • Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
  • Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
  • Maneuver workpieces in equipment during production.
  • Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment.
  • Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
  • Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.
  • Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.
  • Trim excess material from workpieces.
  • Select production input materials.
  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Operate sewing equipment.
  • Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
  • Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Attach decorative or functional accessories to products.
  • Repair textiles or apparel.
  • Clean production equipment.
  • Maintain production or processing equipment.
  • Replace worn equipment components.
  • Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
  • Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
  • Position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces.
  • Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.

This page includes data from:

O*NET OnLine Career data: O*NET 28.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Logo Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics

careeronestop logo Videos: CareerOneStop, USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development

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