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Knitting machine operator salary
Average knitting machine operator salary
$14.91
Understanding the Salary of a Knitting Machine Operator
Knitting machine operators play a vital role in the textile industry, contributing to the production of various knitted goods. As of October 2025, the average salary for these professionals is around $31,008 annually or $15 per hour. However, income can vary based on several factors, including location and experience.
Factors Influencing Salary
The salary of a knitting machine operator is influenced by the following:
- Geographic Location: Operators in states such as California and New York tend to earn higher wages due to the increased cost of living.
- Experience Level: Entry-level positions may start below the average, while experienced operators can command higher salaries and additional benefits.
- Industry Sector: Operators in specialized sectors, such as high-end fashion or technical textiles, often see better compensation packages.
For those seeking to enhance their careers, understanding these factors can guide job decisions and salary negotiations. Explore job listings to find openings that align with your skills and experience.
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Where can a Knitting Machine Operator earn more?
Knitting machine operator salary estimates from across the web
Average knitting machine operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for knitting machine operators are New York, New Jersey, and Michigan. The lowest average knitting machine operator salary states are Arizona, Colorado, and Missouri.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for knitting machine operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $38,108 | $18.32 |
| 2 | Michigan | $37,592 | $18.07 |
| 3 | Iowa | $35,795 | $17.21 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $34,183 | $16.43 |
| 5 | Illinois | $36,315 | $17.46 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $33,888 | $16.29 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| 8 | Kansas | $34,318 | $16.50 |
| 9 | New York | $38,387 | $18.46 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $31,934 | $15.35 |
| 11 | Arkansas | $33,300 | $16.01 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $32,525 | $15.64 |
| 13 | Vermont | $34,361 | $16.52 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $33,056 | $15.89 |
| 15 | Alaska | $32,005 | $15.39 |
| 16 | Oregon | $34,070 | $16.38 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $33,575 | $16.14 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $34,503 | $16.59 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $31,590 | $15.19 |
| 20 | Texas | $33,310 | $16.01 |
| 21 | Maryland | $31,505 | $15.15 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $31,286 | $15.04 |
| 23 | Montana | $32,215 | $15.49 |
| 24 | Delaware | $32,008 | $15.39 |
| 25 | Nevada | $31,463 | $15.13 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $27,941 | $13.43 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $29,997 | $14.42 |
| 28 | Ohio | $27,094 | $13.03 |
| 29 | Maine | $29,634 | $14.25 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $31,041 | $14.92 |
| 31 | Georgia | $28,051 | $13.49 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $28,033 | $13.48 |
| 33 | Alabama | $28,139 | $13.53 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $29,170 | $14.02 |
| 35 | Indiana | $26,487 | $12.73 |
| 36 | North Dakota | $29,196 | $14.04 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $28,183 | $13.55 |
| 38 | Washington | $29,227 | $14.05 |
| 39 | Utah | $26,861 | $12.91 |
| 40 | Idaho | $27,743 | $13.34 |
| 41 | Florida | $27,606 | $13.27 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $26,338 | $12.66 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $25,634 | $12.32 |
| 44 | California | $27,300 | $13.13 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $24,908 | $11.97 |
| 46 | Arizona | $26,148 | $12.57 |
| 47 | Missouri | $25,647 | $12.33 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $26,449 | $12.72 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $24,334 | $11.70 |
| 50 | Colorado | $26,139 | $12.57 |
| 51 | Virginia | $26,291 | $12.64 |
Highest paying cities for knitting machine operators
The highest-paying cities for knitting machine operators are Northfield, VT, Clarksville, AR, and Chattanooga, TN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northfield, VT | $34,340 | $16.51 |
| 2 | Clarksville, AR | $33,346 | $16.03 |
| 3 | Chattanooga, TN | $31,615 | $15.20 |
| 4 | Greensboro, NC | $25,130 | $12.08 |
| 5 | Statesville, NC | $24,926 | $11.98 |
| 6 | Gastonia, NC | $24,699 | $11.87 |
| 7 | Matthews, NC | $24,672 | $11.86 |
Knitting machine operator salary details
A knitting machine operator's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a knitting machine operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $31,008 | $2,584 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying knitting machine operator jobs
The highest paying types of knitting machine operators are loom operator, weaver, and pattern wheel maker.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Machine Operator | $32,874 | $2,740 | $15.80 | 96,834 |
Top companies hiring knitting machine operators now:
Which companies pay knitting machine operators the most?
Knitting machine operator salaries at Hanes Companies, Inc. and Randstad North America, Inc. are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average knitting machine operator salary at companies like Hanesbrands and Adecco are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanes Companies, Inc. | $29,886 | $14.37 |
| 2 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $29,860 | $14.36 |
| 3 | Hanesbrands | $29,476 | $14.17 |
| 4 | Adecco | $29,223 | $14.05 |
| 5 | Beverly Knits Inc | $29,171 | $14.02 |
| 6 | Automation Personnel Services | $27,747 | $13.34 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Knitting machine operator salary trends
The average knitting machine operator salary has risen by $4,967 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average knitting machine operator earned $26,041 annually, but today, they earn $31,008 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for knitting machine operators over the last decade.
Compare knitting machine operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average knitting machine operator salary over time
Compare knitting machine operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Knitting machine operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,000 | $14.91 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $29,900 | $14.38 | +2.7% |
| 2023 | $29,100 | $13.98 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $27,900 | $13.41 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $27,400 | $13.17 | +0.9% |
Recently added knitting machine operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cap America Inc. | Knit Poms | Noel, MO | 12/12/2024 | $29,218 |
| The Reserves Network Inc. | Knitting Machine Operator | Greensboro, NC | 12/05/2024 | $34,436 |
| Randstad Us | Knitting Machine Operator | Burlington, NC | 10/12/2024 | $29,218 |
| The Reserves Network Inc. | Knitting Machine Operator | Greensboro, NC | 10/07/2024 | $34,436 |
| The Reserves Network Inc. | Knitting Machine Operator-2Nd Shift | Greensboro, NC | 09/13/2024 | $34,436 |
| Opsource Staffing | Knit Machine Operator-3Rd Shift | Columbus, NC | 07/24/2024 | $31,618 |
| Opsource Staffing | Knit Machine Operator-3Rd Shift | Columbus, NC | 07/24/2024 | $31,618 |
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