Sewing machinists Salary
Median salary £22,767 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £23,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For sewing machinists, £24,813 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -36% versus the national average. Experienced sewing machinists (top 25%) earn over £26,741.
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
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 (2015-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Gender pay gap: 21.1%
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
Full-time premium: +£2,046
Sewing machinists salary: common questions
How much do sewing machinists earn in the UK?
Is £24,813 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for sewing machinists?
Have sewing machinists salaries kept up with inflation?
Is there a gender pay gap for sewing machinists?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).