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What is an embroidery machine operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an embroidery machine operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $15.34 an hour? That's $31,900 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -8% and produce -83,800 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreEmbroidery Machine OperatorUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $31,900

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.7

Growth rate -8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.83%

Asian 8.06%

Black or African American 9.62%

Hispanic or Latino 11.82%

Unknown 4.49%

White 65.19%

Gender

female 72.00%

male 28.00%

Age - 51
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 51
Stress level
4.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Embroidery machine operator career paths

Key steps to become an embroidery machine operator

  1. Explore embroidery machine operator education requirements

    Most common embroidery machine operator degrees

    High School Diploma

    43.5 %

    Bachelor's

    20.8 %

    Associate

    18.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific embroidery machine operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Embroidery56.39%
    Stitching6.27%
    Quality Standards5.05%
    Detect Defects4.12%
    Oiling3.97%
  3. Complete relevant embroidery machine operator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New embroidery machine operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an embroidery machine operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real embroidery machine operator resumes.
  4. Research embroidery machine operator duties and responsibilities

    • Observe sewing operation to detect defects in stitching, repairs defective embroidery, regulates machine settings
    • Observe sewing operation to detect defects in stitching, and make corrections if need.
    • Decorate t-shirts and sweat shirts for college bookstores.
    • Digitize graphics to print and cut for t-shirts and decals.
  5. Prepare your embroidery machine operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your embroidery machine operator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an embroidery machine operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable embroidery machine operator resume templates

    Build a professional embroidery machine operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your embroidery machine operator resume.
    Embroidery Machine Operator Resume
    Embroidery Machine Operator Resume
    Embroidery Machine Operator Resume
    Embroidery Machine Operator Resume
    Embroidery Machine Operator Resume
    Embroidery Machine Operator Resume
    Embroidery Machine Operator Resume
    Embroidery Machine Operator Resume
    Embroidery Machine Operator Resume
  6. Apply for embroidery machine operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an embroidery machine operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first embroidery machine operator job

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Average embroidery machine operator salary

The average embroidery machine operator salary in the United States is $31,900 per year or $15 per hour. Embroidery machine operator salaries range between $25,000 and $39,000 per year.

Average embroidery machine operator salary
$31,900 Yearly
$15.34 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do embroidery machine operators rate their job?

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Embroidery machine operator reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

The fact that you get to do what you love doing best, adding creativity to people's outfits on a daily basis.

Cons

The stress, the salary, you never have the time for yourself.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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