Sewing machine operators
SOC Code: 51-6031
Sewing machine operators carries a 31% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $36,000 and -10.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 124,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Sewing machine operators (SOC 51-6031) carries an AI exposure score of 31%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 124,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -10.8% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $36,000, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Sewing machine operators. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
- 2. Cut materials according to specifications, using blades, scissors, or electric knives.
- 3. Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
- 4. Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.
- 5. Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
- 6. Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.
- 7. Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them, and verify that dye lots and patterns match.
- 8. Fold or stretch edges or lengths of items while sewing to facilitate forming specified sections.
- 9. Cut excess material or thread from finished products.
- 10. Select supplies such as fasteners and thread, according to job requirements.
Key Skills Required
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
- Reading Comprehension
- Operation and Control
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Transportation
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Sewing machine operators?
Sewing machine operators has an AI exposure score of 31%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Sewing machine operators?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Sewing machine operators is projected to decline by 10.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 124,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Sewing machine operators?
Key skills for Sewing machine operators include Monitoring, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Sewing machine operators earn?
The median annual wage for Sewing machine operators is $36,000, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Sewing machine operators?
The typical entry-level education for Sewing machine operators is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Sewing machine operators?
Sewing machine operators roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).