California Median
$44,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $41,640
State Rank
#17 of 42
2,180 employed here
How much do Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers make in California?
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in California take home a median of $44,360 annually — roughly $21.33 an hour — which runs 7% above the national median of $41,640.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,820 while the top 10% make $64,340 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,270 and $49,540 a year.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,820 | $17.22 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,270 | $18.88 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,360 | $21.33 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,540 | $23.82 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,340 | $30.93 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 17th out of 42 states and territories for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary in other states
New York $60,210District of Columbia $57,720Washington $54,300Hawaii $53,680Colorado $51,110Massachusetts $50,470Nevada $49,150Pennsylvania $48,310Missouri $48,240Maryland $48,200Utah $48,040Oregon $47,450Minnesota $46,180Virginia $46,060New Hampshire $45,970Delaware $44,450New Mexico $43,350Wisconsin $43,300Georgia $43,260New Jersey $43,150Illinois $42,330North Carolina $41,260Arizona $40,360Connecticut $40,000Florida $39,790Tennessee $38,650Nebraska $38,380Michigan $37,500Ohio $37,170Indiana $36,450Texas $36,260Montana $34,710Louisiana $33,560South Carolina $33,030Kentucky $32,530Iowa $31,680Alabama $31,200Arkansas $30,990Kansas $27,110Oklahoma $26,300Mississippi $25,340
Working as Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in California
Nationally, about 14,000 people work as Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($44,360) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers make in California?
The median Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary in California is $44,360 per year, or about $21.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,820 at the entry level to $64,340 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers about 7% more than the national median of $41,640. California ranks 17th out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,360 a year. About 2,180 Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.