Salary Range
Low (10th %)$25,360
Median$34,440
High (90th %)$45,360
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Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
The occupation "Sewing Machine Operators" carries an automation risk of 33.4%, a figure closely aligned with its base risk of 33.7%. This relatively moderate risk level reflects both the structured nature of machine-operation tasks and the unique skills required for certain aspects of the job. Much of the work done by sewing machine operators involves repetitive mechanical actions, which are well-suited to automation technologies that have advanced significantly in recent years. As a result, many foundational duties carried out in this occupation are increasingly within the reach of robotic or automated solutions, justifying the calculated risk. The three most automatable tasks for sewing machine operators are highly procedural and repetitive. These include monitoring machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions; placing spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, inserting bobbins, and threading ends through machine guides and components; and positioning items under needles using marks, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides. Each of these tasks involves set, predictable steps that can be efficiently managed by programmed machines or sensors, making them prime candidates for automation. Machines equipped with vision systems and precision manipulators can already perform these actions with speed and consistency. Conversely, some tasks within the occupation remain highly resistant to automation due to their reliance on nuanced skills, adaptability, and human judgment. Sewing machine operators often perform specialized or automatic machine functions like buttonhole making or tacking and must position and mark patterns on materials for sewing. Tasks such as basting edges of material to align and temporarily secure parts for final assembly require adaptability and a degree of manual dexterity. The key bottleneck skill identified here is Originality, though it is used at relatively low levels (1.8% and 1.3%). This means that while routine functions are automatable, unique or non-routine aspects—especially those involving custom assembly or pattern alignment—still need a human touch, anchoring the occupation's risk below full automation.
Filter by Automatable Status
Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
Automatable
Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
Non-Automatable
Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.
Partially Automatable
Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
Non-Automatable
Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.
Non-Automatable
Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them, and verify that dye lots and patterns match.
Partially Automatable
Cut excess material or thread from finished products.
Partially Automatable
Select supplies such as fasteners and thread, according to job requirements.
Partially Automatable
Examine and measure finished articles to verify conformance to standards, using rulers.
Automatable
Record quantities of materials processed.
Automatable
Turn knobs, screws, and dials to adjust settings of machines, according to garment styles and equipment performance.
Partially Automatable
Attach tape, trim, appliques, or elastic to specified garments or garment parts, according to item specifications.
Non-Automatable
Repair or alter items by adding replacement parts or missing stitches.
Non-Automatable
Perform equipment maintenance tasks such as replacing needles, sanding rough areas of needles, or cleaning and oiling sewing machines.
Non-Automatable
Mount attachments, such as needles, cutting blades, or pattern plates, and adjust machine guides according to specifications.
Non-Automatable
Cut materials according to specifications, using blades, scissors, or electric knives.
Partially Automatable
Inspect garments, and examine repair tags and markings on garments to locate defects or damage, and mark errors as necessary.
Partially Automatable
Attach buttons, hooks, zippers, fasteners, or other accessories to fabric, using feeding hoppers or clamp holders.
Partially Automatable
Position material or articles in clamps, templates, or hoop frames prior to automatic operation of machines.
Non-Automatable
Draw markings or pin appliques on fabric to obtain variations in design.
Non-Automatable
Tape or twist together thread or cord to repair breaks.
Non-Automatable
Baste edges of material to align and temporarily secure parts for final assembly.
Non-Automatable
Position and mark patterns on materials to prepare for sewing.
Non-Automatable
Fold or stretch edges or lengths of items while sewing to facilitate forming specified sections.
Non-Automatable
Perform specialized or automatic sewing machine functions, such as buttonhole making or tacking.
Non-Automatable
Start and operate or tend machines, such as single or double needle serging and flat-bed felling machines, to automatically join, reinforce, or decorate material or articles.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisSystems AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningLearning StrategiesMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationComplex Problem SolvingOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems EvaluationTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Personnel Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationTherapy and CounselingLaw and Government
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersDocumenting/Recording InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium38.52%
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium35.75%
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
Print Binding and Finishing Workers
Low26.68%
Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Low31.21%
Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Low22.15%
Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Low22.86%
Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium41.68%
Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
Sewers, Hand
Low11.23%
Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Low22.39%
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium50.87%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium52.16%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium51.65%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that wind or twist textiles; or draw out and combine sliver, such as wool, hemp, or synthetic fibers. Includes slubber machine and drawing frame operators.
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Medium37.16%
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Medium40.69%
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Medium56.41%
Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium51.08%
Operate or tend bonding machines that use adhesives to join items for further processing or to form a completed product. Processes include joining veneer sheets into plywood; gluing paper; or joining rubber and rubberized fabric parts, plastic, simulated leather, or other materials.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium44.16%
Set up, operate, or tend paper goods machines that perform a variety of functions, such as converting, sawing, corrugating, banding, wrapping, boxing, stitching, forming, or sealing paper or paperboard sheets into products.
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
High66.68%
Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.
Fashion Designers
Medium42.81%
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Floral Designers
Medium44.24%
Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.
Costume Attendants
Medium44.55%
Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium56.98%
Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Medium53.64%
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Upholsterers
Low20.15%
Make, repair, or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles.
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Medium35.73%
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.