Sewing machinists Salary
Median salary £22,767 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.
About this role
Sewing machinists (2020 SOC) operate industrial sewing and stitching machinery to produce clothing, soft furnishings, technical textiles and other sewn products to production schedules and quality standards.
Key responsibilities
- Operating various industrial sewing machine types
- Following production specifications and patterns
- Meeting quality standards and production output targets
- Performing basic machine maintenance and thread changes
- Working as part of a production team to meet deadlines
Qualifications and entry routes
Practical sewing skills and machine experience are the primary requirements. NVQ qualifications in textile production are available. Training on specific machine types is provided by employers.
Career outlook
UK textile manufacturing is niche but demand exists in technical textiles, PPE production and specialist garment work.
Key skills
Common industries
- Fashion manufacturing
- Home textiles
- Military equipment
- Automotive interiors
- PPE and workwear
Data coverage
Median Salary
£22,767
Mean Salary
£21,702
Jobs (000s)
14k
Data Years
5 years
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£17,135
0-2 years
Mid Level
£17,135
3-7 years
Senior
£26,741
8-15 years
Potential career growth: +56% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2021-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Gender pay gap: 21.1%
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
All Employees
£22,767
Full-time Only
£24,813
Full-time premium: +£2,046
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Salary forecast
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Lifetime earnings
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