Sewing Machine Operators pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for sewing machine operators is $17.41 an hour ($36,220 a year). About 4,060 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($36,670). Illinois ranks 28th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for sewing machine operators in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.90 | $33,060 |
| 25% of workers | $16.76 | $34,860 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.41 | $36,220 |
| 75% of workers | $20.24 | $42,100 |
| 90% of workers | $22.46 | $46,720 |
Sewing Machine Operators pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $36,220 | 3,450 |
| Rockford | $34,060 | 70 |
| Peoria | $33,060 | 80 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for sewing machine operators
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -15.1% over ten years, declining · about 9,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $56,400 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,740 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,220 |
Other job titles for this job
Open sewing machine operators jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring sewing machine operators? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 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. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.