Sewing Machine Operators
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 586 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 12% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Examine and measure finished articles to verify conformance to standards, using rulers.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Inspect garments, and examine repair tags and markings on garments to locate defects or damage, and mark errors as necessary.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Record quantities of materials processed.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Cut materials according to specifications, using blades, scissors, or electric knives.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Very similar work+9% pay36 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 9% more—$43,065 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Finger Dexterity
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
New skills to build
- Sales and Marketing
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Very similar work+23% pay31 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 23% more—$48,321 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Very similar work+56% pay346 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 56% more—$61,588 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design
- Economics and Accounting
- Administration and Management
- Sales and Marketing
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Very similar work+14% pay116 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 14% more—$44,721 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Operations Monitoring
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Equipment Selection
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Very similar work+9% pay32 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 9% more—$43,096 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Static Strength
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar work+22% pay236 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 22% more—$48,003 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Multilimb Coordination
New skills to build
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Mechanical
- Equipment Maintenance
- Engineering and Technology
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Similar work+37% pay195 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 37% more—$54,006 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Operations Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Similar work+10% pay108 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 10% more—$43,215 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Stamina
- Trunk Strength
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Similar work+29% pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 29% more—$50,811 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Operations Monitoring
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Operation and Control
- Equipment Maintenance
Print Binding and Finishing Workers
Similar work+15% pay90 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 15% more—$45,222 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
- Control Precision
New skills to build
- Administration and Management
- Mechanical
- Equipment Maintenance
- Production and Processing
- Repairing
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Similar work+28% pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 28% more—$50,412 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Rate Control
New skills to build
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
- Mechanical
Sewers, Hand
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay41 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$38,229 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Finger Dexterity
- Control Precision
New skills to build
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay269 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$37,339 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Finger Dexterity
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay2,541 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$35,849 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
Somewhat similar work+13% pay94 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 13% more—$44,400 vs your $39,358 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Rate Control
- Manual Dexterity
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Operations Monitoring