Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary by state
Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
Top skills:Time ManagementSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessMonitoring
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers pay by experience level
Entry level$31,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$36,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$43,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$52,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$66,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-4.5%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
5,000
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary by industry
Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers
4,680 workers
$47,500
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers
4,640 workers
$47,000
Personal and Laundry Services
2,000 workers
$42,000
Drycleaning and Laundry Services
1,950 workers
$41,500
Repair and Maintenance
1,810 workers
$43,500
Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance
1,800 workers
$43,500
Apparel Manufacturing
1,370 workers
$46,500
Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing
1,230 workers
$47,000
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
880 workers
$43,000
Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers
780 workers
$44,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers pays 17% below the average across 112 roles in the Production job family (family average $56,000).
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