Sewing Machinists
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Sewing Machinists operate industrial sewing machines to sew and finish garments and soft furnishings such as curtains.
Specialisations: Embroiderer.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Sewing Machinist. Some workers have a certificate II in clothing production or applied fashion design.
Tasks
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threading machines, inserting bobbins and positioning parts to be sewn
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starting, stopping and controlling speed of machines with pedals and knee levers to coordinate actions of presser feet, clothes guides, blades and other attachments, and guiding parts under needles, following edges, seams and markings
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changing needles and adjusting, securing and modifying attachments to machines
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finishing items by cutting excess material and threads
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operating thread trimming and other non-sewing machines
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inspecting stitching for defects and notifying repair mechanics of machine malfunctions
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performing basic maintenance such as lubrication of machines
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may do laying up and bundling tasks
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may ticket, label and finish work
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 11,300 |
2012 | 11,600 |
2013 | 11,000 |
2014 | 8,400 |
2015 | 6,700 |
2016 | 6,200 |
2017 | 7,400 |
2018 | 9,000 |
2019 | 8,000 |
2020 | 10,500 |
2021 | 10,100 |
2026 | 10,200 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 57% of people employed as Sewing Machinists work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 9 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 41 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $885 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $791
- 1 in 4 earn more than $982
Median hourly earnings are $25, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Sewing Machinists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 885 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Sewing Machinists work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Sewing Machinists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 32.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 19.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.5 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.1 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.7 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.4 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 66% of Sewing Machinists live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - West
- Melbourne - South East
- Sydney - Inner South West
- Sydney - South West
- Melbourne - Outer East.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Sewing Machinists is 52 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 82% of the workforce. This is 34 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Sewing Machinists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.9 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 2.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 7.7 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 16.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 32.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 19.3 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 13.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 7.3 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 52 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Sewing Machinist. Some workers have a certificate II in clothing production or applied fashion design.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Textiles, Clothing & Footwear VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Sewing Machinists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 5.6 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 6.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 12.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 25.1 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 42.9 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Sewing Machinists who are hardworking, can work well with others and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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37%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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36%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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36%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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34%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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34%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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34%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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34%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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34%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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32%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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30%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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29%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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29%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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29%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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29%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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29%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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29%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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27%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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33%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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25%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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24%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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22%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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21%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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18%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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16%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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14%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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13%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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13%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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13%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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12%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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12%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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12%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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10%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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10%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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10%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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8%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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7%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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5%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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52%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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48%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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45%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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39%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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39%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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39%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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38%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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38%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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38%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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38%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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36%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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36%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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34%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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34%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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32%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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55%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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54%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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43%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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41%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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38%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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37%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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37%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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37%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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37%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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36%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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36%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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32%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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32%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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31%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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30%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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28%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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28%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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27%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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25%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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25%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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95%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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57%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
38%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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33%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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31%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
24%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
91%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
90%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
87%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
86%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
85%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
81%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
78%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
76%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
73%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
70%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
68%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
68%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
67%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
62%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
61%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
60%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
60%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
59%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
57%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
-
57%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-6031.00 - Sewing Machine Operators.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.