Also called: Sewer, Stitcher
Runs high-speed industrial sewing machines to stitch clothes, car seats, bags, flags and medical gear.
You sit at a machine that stitches far faster than a home sewing machine, sewing the same seam on hundreds of pieces per shift. Some shops make military uniforms or parachutes where every stitch is inspected. Fast, accurate operators often earn piece-rate bonuses.
Many plants pay by the piece, so fast operators earn more.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. No degree needed; trained on the job in a few weeks to months.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Industrial Sewing (certificate).
Shrinking (about -11% over 10 years). BLS projects a decline of about 11% as sewing moves overseas and to automation.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Sewing robots are improving, and most mass apparel sewing is offshore; specialty US sewing (medical, military) holds.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply at sewing factories (uniforms, car seats, bags) or through a staffing agency; new hires are trained on the job
Classes: Sewing or fashion CTE, Art.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-6031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.