Sewing Machine Operators Description OES Code: 92717 Operate or tend sewing machines to perform garment sewing operations, such as joining, reinforcing, or decorating garments or garment parts. Include sewing machine operators and tenders who perform specialized or automatic sewing machine functions, such as buttonhole making or tacking. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: minimum minimum –minimum New, experienced: $6.00 minimum – $6.50 3 yrs+ experience: $7.50 $6.50 – $9.00 Union wages are higher than nonunion. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Full-time work ranges from 35 to 40 hours per week. Benefits can include paid holidays, vacations, health and life insurance, and child care. Employment Trends Employment 1996 87,400 Projected Employment 2006 101,000 Growth Rate 1996-2006 15.6% Openings due to Separations 15,180 Employment Trends by California County A growing population will demand more clothes, but foreign assembly plants will continue to keep employment down. There also are new machines that cut down on the number of employees needed to get the work done. Examples of labor saving equipment include sewing machines that can position needles and trim threads automatically and devices that automatically position fabric pieces under the needle and remove and stack completed pieces. The number of jobs in the U.S. clothing industry has gone down because most of the clothes sold here are made in other countries. In order to compete, U.S. clothing makers, especially in California, have cut costs to keep up with the demand for cheaper clothes. U.S. manufacturers have lowered costs by using assembly plants in other countries. This lowers employer wage costs but reduces employment in this country. With the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in place, more and more businesses will use foreign assembly plants. As a result, job growth for Sewing Machine Operators will be limited. Education and Training Education is not needed to be hired as a Sewing Machine Operator; neither is the ability to speak English. Some employers prefer persons who have experience or training on power sewing machines. Training is offered at many community adult schools, regional occupational centers, or trade schools. Sewing Machine Operators are usually trained on the job under the supervision of a foreperson or an experienced worker. A beginner may be assigned to work automatic machines to develop the right moves and timing. The length of time required to achieve a good speed and a decent quality of production depends on individual ability. Advancement Operators who know all the sections and have mastered the skill of sewing the whole article of clothing may become sample makers, instructors, or forepersons. These workers get an hourly or weekly salary that is a little above the earnings of piecework operators, but they are free from the pressures of piecework, and they usually have steady work during the slack seasons, as well as in busy times. Getting the Job & Other Information Job hunters should apply directly to employers, look at the classified ads of the newspaper, or register with offices of the California Employment Development Department. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Skills & Other Requirements Sewing Machine Operators run high speed electric sewing machines to make clothing and other cloth pieces. Operators use commercial machines that are heavier and run faster than machines used in the home. Sewing Machine Operators are generally classified by the type of sewing machine they use, such as single needle, multineedle, double needle, overlock, or blind stitch, and by the type of work they do, such as collar stitcher, sleeve finisher, or pocket setter. Most operators run a regular machine that sews pieces of cloth together in a seam. Operators usually start on single needle machines that have one needle and make a stitch like those made by home machines. Operators position pieces of cloth together and hold them so that when the needle connects the pieces the stitch made is straight and smooth. They also can start and stop the machine smoothly when running it at high speeds. Most Sewing Machine Operators work in the clothing industry. They usually work on a part or section of clothing. An operator who is good at simple sections may go on to harder jobs like setting collars and cuffs, which may need double needle machines. Operators who know all the sections may work as "utility workers" and fill in wherever they may be needed. Skilled operators can do most sewing jobs in the factory or shop and change over easily when production runs are changed to a new style or different clothes. Most of their time is spent correctly matching the pieces of cloth before sewing them. Operators have to work fast and carefully because they are paid the regular going rate for work done correctly. They are paid minimum wage when fixing pieces that weren't done correctly. Working Conditions While many shops are in old uncomfortable buildings, others are in modern buildings that have big workrooms, good ventilation and lighting, and air conditioning. Most employees sit when they sew, but the work can be tiring depending on the weight of the fabric and depending on what they are making. The work is done fast and many chores are boring. Operators work alone, but very near fellow workers. The material to be sewn is brought to them and put in baskets or separate piles so each piece can be reached while sitting at the machine. This process makes for smooth and efficient operations. Operators have to do some lifting. The machines are worked by foot pedals and knee levers. Certain kinds of foot and leg ailments are not a handicap for this work. However, Sewing Machine Operators must have full and free use of their hands and arms, and they must be able to see well with or without glasses. Many shops are not unionized, but some have contracts with the International Ladies Garment Workers of America or the Amalgamated Garment Workers of America. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Sewing Machine Operators #146 Related Occupation: Upholsterers #36, Drapery Occupations #91, Fashion Designers #185 Training: California State Training Inventory © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.