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The differences between seamstresses and sewing machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 3-6 months to become both a seamstress and a sewing machine operator. Additionally, a seamstress has an average salary of $33,724, which is higher than the $31,312 average annual salary of a sewing machine operator.
The top three skills for a seamstress include customer service, punctuality and industrial sewing machines. The most important skills for a sewing machine operator are stitching, industrial sewing machines, and single needle.
| Seamstress | Sewing Machine Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $33,724 | $31,312 |
| Hourly rate | $16.21 | $15.05 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 1,259 | 63,884 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A seamstress designs, repairs, and alters clothing as well as fashion accessories like hats and purses. Your duties and responsibilities may vary depending on your employer, including taking a customer's body measurements to fit clothes to their specifications, constructing garments specified by the customer, and advising customers on the appropriate types of patterns and fabrics that meet their needs. The skills and qualifications for this role include strong sewing skills, knowledge with design and fashion, and creativity.
A sewing machine operator works at manufacturing establishments where they are in charge of operating sewing machines to produce garment and non-garment products. Before sewing, they usually meet with clients or managers to discuss and learn project requirements, decide on sewing techniques, and identify other client preferences. Part of their job is to attach buttons and zippers, cut or piece together fabrics, perform alterations on existing garments, and adhere to guidelines and safety policies. There are also times when they must perform maintenance checks on machines and conduct minimal repairs, reporting to managers should there be any complicated issues.
Seamstresses and sewing machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Seamstress | Sewing Machine Operator | |
| Average salary | $33,724 | $31,312 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $50,000 | Between $24,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Somerville, MA | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | CoxHealth | Gasser Chair |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a seamstress and a sewing machine operator in terms of educational background:
| Seamstress | Sewing Machine Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between seamstresses' and sewing machine operators' demographics:
| Seamstress | Sewing Machine Operator | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 5.8% Female, 94.2% | Male, 15.7% Female, 84.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 10.0% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 10.1% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |