Career Paths From Sewing Machine Operators

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

1. Machine Feeders and OffbearersCareer Change92.8% skill match

   Sewing Machine Operators and Machine Feeders and Offbearers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Machine Feeders and Offbearers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 12% higher.

   Current median salary

   $36,670

   Target median salary

   $41,220

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

2. Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersLateral Move92.6% skill match

   Sewing Machine Operators and Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 5% lower.

   Current median salary

   $36,670

   Target median salary

   $34,890

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

3. Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersLateral Move93.3% skill match

   Sewing Machine Operators and Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 32% higher.

   Current median salary

   $36,670

   Target median salary

   $48,570

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

4. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersLateral Move89.6% skill match

   Sewing Machine Operators and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 47% higher.

   Current median salary

   $36,670

   Target median salary

   $53,750

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

5. Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and WallCareer Change89.6% skill match

   Sewing Machine Operators and Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 34% higher.

   Current median salary

   $36,670

   Target median salary

   $49,120

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

6. Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and TendersLateral Move91.3% skill match

   Sewing Machine Operators and Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 31% higher.

   Current median salary

   $36,670

   Target median salary

   $48,040

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

7. Locomotive EngineersCareer Change93.3% skill match

   Sewing Machine Operators and Locomotive Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Locomotive Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 122% higher.

   Current median salary

   $36,670

   Target median salary

   $81,410

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

8. Fence ErectorsCareer Change89.6% skill match

   Sewing Machine Operators and Fence Erectors share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Fence Erectors is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 31% higher.

   Current median salary

   $36,670

   Target median salary

   $47,980

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

9. Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and PlasticLateral Move89.5% skill match

   Sewing Machine Operators and Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 26% higher.

   Current median salary

   $36,670

   Target median salary

   $46,170

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

10. Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersLateral Move90% skill match

    Sewing Machine Operators and Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 164% higher.

    Current median salary

    $36,670

    Target median salary

    $96,710

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

11. Fiberglass Laminators and FabricatorsLateral Move92% skill match

    Sewing Machine Operators and Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 28% higher.

    Current median salary

    $36,670

    Target median salary

    $46,880

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

12. Tree Trimmers and PrunersCareer Change89.2% skill match

    Sewing Machine Operators and Tree Trimmers and Pruners share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Tree Trimmers and Pruners is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 39% higher.

    Current median salary

    $36,670

    Target median salary

    $50,960

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

13. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandCareer Change90.3% skill match

    Sewing Machine Operators and Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 10% higher.

    Current median salary

    $36,670

    Target median salary

    $40,240

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

14. Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive FirersCareer Change91.4% skill match

    Sewing Machine Operators and Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 88% higher.

    Current median salary

    $36,670

    Target median salary

    $68,840

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

15. Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and TendersLateral Move89.6% skill match

    Sewing Machine Operators and Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 48% higher.

    Current median salary

    $36,670

    Target median salary

    $54,430

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.