Home > Salary > South Africa > Sewing Machine Operator
A sewing machine operator is responsible for operating and maintaining sewing machines in a manufacturing or production setting. They work with various types of fabrics and materials to sew, stitch, and assemble garments, textiles, or other products. The operator ensures that the sewing machine is set up correctly, adjusts settings as needed, and performs quality checks on the finished product. They may also be required to perform minor repairs or troubleshooting on the machine. Attention to detail, good hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work quickly and accurately are essential skills for this occupation. Sewing machine operators often work in textile factories, garment manufacturing units, or small-scale production facilities.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 71,628 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,969 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,377 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 34 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,788 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,336 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 33 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06
Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,581 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 298 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 69 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 71,628 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,969 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,377 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 34 ZAR per hour
By working as Sewing Machine Operator a person can save up to 27 USD per month or 327 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Sewing Machine Operator
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Sewing Machine Operator salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Sewing Machine Operator in South Africa is approximately 71,628 ZAR (3,581 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Sewing Machine Operator do?
A sewing machine operator is responsible for operating and maintaining sewing machines in a manufacturing or production setting. They work with various types of fabrics and materials to sew, stitch, and assemble garments, textiles, or other products. The operator ensures that the sewing machine is set up correctly, adjusts settings as needed, and performs quality checks on the finished product. They may also be required to perform minor repairs or troubleshooting on the machine. Attention to detail, good hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work quickly and accurately are essential skills for this occupation. Sewing machine operators often work in textile factories, garment manufacturing units, or small-scale production facilities.
Skills: Sewing machine operator, Garment manufacturing, Textile industry, Fabric stitching, Production line, Machine maintenance
Job industry: Textile manufacturing
Job industry: Textile manufacturing
How much does Sewing Machine Operator make?
Salary details
How much does Sewing Machine Operator make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 71,628 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,969 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,377 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 34 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 69,460 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 5,788 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,336 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 33 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06Sewing Machine Operator estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,581 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 298 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 69 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Sewing Machine Operator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Sewing Machine Operator in South Africa earns on average:
0.56 times the average salary (or 56% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Sewing Machine Operator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Sewing Machine Operator in South Africa earns on average:
0.56 times the average salary (or 56% of average salary).
Is Sewing Machine Operator a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Sewing Machine Operator is typically not a well-paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Sewing Machine Operator might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Sewing Machine Operator?
High salary for Sewing Machine Operator would be somewhere between 78,791 ZAR and 103,861 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Sewing Machine Operator in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 71,628 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,969 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,377 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 34 ZAR per hour
By working as Sewing Machine Operator a person can save up to 27 USD per month or 327 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Sewing Machine Operator
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in South Africa
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Data as of 2025Random salary:
Coast guard petty officer 2nd class small boats (88,869 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Um nurse (181,800 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Deputy executive director non-profit organization (206,920 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Energy management specialist (170,709 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Woodworking machine setter operator tender (but not sawing) (95,023 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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Salary details presented on this website are intended for informational use exclusively. Our data is sourced through various inputs and may not necessarily be up to date. Users should verify salary information through other means before making employment decisions. The figures shown here may change due to variables such as company policies, experience levels, and demand shifts. We do not guarantee that the data displayed is flawless. By accessing this website, you agree that salary information is offered 'as is' and without assurances.
Salary details displayed on optisalary.com are intended for reference use exclusively. Our data is sourced through multiple sources and may not always be up to date. Users must verify salary information independently before making employment decisions. The figures listed here may change due to variables such as company policies, experience levels, and demand shifts. We cannot warrant that the information displayed is flawless. By accessing optisalary.com, you agree that salary information is presented 'as is' and without assurances.