How much do Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers make?
The median pay for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in the United States is $41,640 per year — about $20.02 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $29,920, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $63,670.
That is $19,750 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary range by percentile
Half of all Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers earn between $35,230 and $50,200 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,920 | $14.38 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,230 | $16.94 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $41,640 | $20.02 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $50,200 | $24.13 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,670 | $30.61 |
Highest-paying states for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. New York leads the country for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers pay at $60,210 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($57,720) and Washington ($54,300). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $25,340 — a gap of $34,870 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $60,210 | $28.95 | +45% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $57,720 | $27.75 | +39% |
| 3 | Washington | $54,300 | $26.11 | +30% |
| 4 | Hawaii | $53,680 | $25.81 | +29% |
| 5 | Colorado | $51,110 | $24.57 | +23% |
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 42 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 14,000 people work as Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $45,140 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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