{"v":"2026-11-02","dataVersion":"ONET-30.3+BLS-MAY25","code":"51-6031.00","slug":"sewing-machine-operators","title":"Sewing Machine Operators","alt":["Machine Operator","Sewer Operator","Stitcher Operator","Lockstitch Machine Operator","Feller Machine Operator","Coat Operator","Glove Operator","Shirt Operator","Pocket Operator","Overlock Operator","Top Collar Maker","Chainstitch Zipper Setter"],"employment":104880,"wage":{"median":36670,"p25":31960,"p75":42830},"growthPct":-10.8,"exposure":22,"taskCount":26,"highCount":2,"midCount":1,"lowCount":23,"aeiObserved":0,"fit":{"mix":{"none":77.2,"efficient":14.9,"standard":7.9,"frontier":0},"counts":{"none":20,"efficient":4,"standard":2,"frontier":0},"recommended":"standard","coveragePct":22.8,"addressablePct":22.8},"tasks":[{"t":"Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.","imp":4.39,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings"},{"t":"Cut materials according to specifications, using blades, scissors, or electric knives.","imp":4.37,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.","imp":4.32,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Performing General Physical Activities"},{"t":"Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.","imp":4.31,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.","imp":4.26,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them, and verify that dye lots and patterns match.","imp":4.17,"exp":80,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials"},{"t":"Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.","imp":4.17,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Fold or stretch edges or lengths of items while sewing to facilitate forming specified sections.","imp":4.16,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Cut excess material or thread from finished products.","imp":4.15,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Select supplies such as fasteners and thread, according to job requirements.","imp":4.14,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Making Decisions and Solving Problems"},{"t":"Examine and measure finished articles to verify conformance to standards, using rulers.","imp":4.12,"exp":80,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information"},{"t":"Start and operate or tend machines, such as single or double needle serging and flat-bed felling machines, to automatically join, reinforce, or decorate material or articles.","imp":4.09,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Inspect garments, and examine repair tags and markings on garments to locate defects or damage, and mark errors as necessary.","imp":4.08,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events"},{"t":"Record quantities of materials processed.","imp":4.04,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Documenting/Recording Information"},{"t":"Turn knobs, screws, and dials to adjust settings of machines, according to garment styles and equipment performance.","imp":4.02,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Attach buttons, hooks, zippers, fasteners, or other accessories to fabric, using feeding hoppers or clamp holders.","imp":4.02,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Repair or alter items by adding replacement parts or missing stitches.","imp":3.96,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Attach tape, trim, appliques, or elastic to specified garments or garment parts, according to item specifications.","imp":3.96,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Position material or articles in clamps, templates, or hoop frames prior to automatic operation of machines.","imp":3.94,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Perform equipment maintenance tasks such as replacing needles, sanding rough areas of needles, or cleaning and oiling sewing machines.","imp":3.87,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Performing General Physical Activities"},{"t":"Draw markings or pin appliques on fabric to obtain variations in design.","imp":3.84,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Tape or twist together thread or cord to repair breaks.","imp":3.79,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Baste edges of material to align and temporarily secure parts for final assembly.","imp":3.74,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Position and mark patterns on materials to prepare for sewing.","imp":3.73,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Mount attachments, such as needles, cutting blades, or pattern plates, and adjust machine guides according to specifications.","imp":3.72,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Perform specialized or automatic sewing machine functions, such as buttonhole making or tacking.","imp":3.67,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"}],"adjacent":[{"code":"51-6042.00","slug":"shoe-machine-operators-and-tenders","title":"Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders","overlap":0.77,"months":8,"exposure":18.9,"strong":true},{"code":"51-6051.00","slug":"sewers-hand","title":"Sewers, Hand","overlap":0.76,"months":9,"exposure":15,"strong":true},{"code":"51-6062.00","slug":"textile-cutting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders","title":"Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders","overlap":0.71,"months":10,"exposure":19.6,"strong":true},{"code":"51-6063.00","slug":"textile-knitting-and-weaving-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders","title":"Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders","overlap":0.71,"months":10,"exposure":19.4,"strong":true},{"code":"51-6052.00","slug":"tailors-dressmakers-and-custom-sewers","title":"Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers","overlap":0.7,"months":11,"exposure":18.6,"strong":true}]}