Will AI replace sewing machine operators?AI replacement risk 45% and how the work is changing

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$36,670

25th–75th pct. $31,960–$42,830

Top pay (est.)

$62,200

Top 10% $47,840

Pay in 5 years

$41,000est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$45,800est.

$39,300–$53,100

Outlook score

28/100

★☆☆☆☆ Weak

AI replacement risk

45%

Moderate

Job growth (10 yr)

−15.1%

9,800 openings / yr

Will AI replace Sewing Machine Operators? AI replacement risk

45%

Moderate

Ranked #442 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations

Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Sewing Machine Operators

Key skills

Quality Control Analysis

2.6

Monitoring

2.5

Operation and Control

2.2

Complex Problem Solving

2.1

Active Listening

2.1

Reading Comprehension

2.1

Time Management

2.1

Operations Monitoring

2.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

English Language

2.4

Mathematics

1.8

Education and Training

1.8

Production and Processing

1.7

Public Safety and Security

1.6

Customer and Personal Service

1.4

Mechanical

1.4

Computers and Electronics

1.3

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsGetting Information

Important abilities

Arm-Hand SteadinessNear VisionFinger DexterityManual DexterityControl PrecisionRate Control

Education of workers

Less than high school

53%

High school diploma

41%

Associate's degree

Training before entry

6–12 months

31%

3–6 months

24%

None / short demo

20%

Up to 1 month

19%

1–2 years

2–4 years

1–3 months

Related work experience

3–6 months

23%

None

22%

1–2 years

22%

2–4 years

13%

6–12 months

4–6 years

Up to 1 month

Over 10 years

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair.	$49,590	60/100	26%
2	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.	$50,620	61/100	27%
3	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators.	$74,450	50/100	47%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.	$79,860	58/100	38%
5	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications.	$48,570	45/100	55%
6	Industrial Machinery Mechanics Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.	$64,520	74/100	26%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.