Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
SOC: 51-6092 O*NET: 51-6092.00
Median Salary
$67,670
per year
Job Growth
📉 -10.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
What does a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,590
10th percentile
Early Career
$44,110
25th percentile
Median
$67,670
50th percentile
Experienced
$91,080
75th percentile
Top Earners
$112,540
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,590
25th
$44,110
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$67,670
Mean: $71,630
75th
$91,080
90th
$112,540
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $77,950 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $44,110 and $91,080
- •Salary spread is 69.4% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 2,860 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:2,800
Top Industries
Manufacturing55.6%
Apparel Manufacturing34.3%
Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing32.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-10.2%
Annual Openings:300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)2,800
Current
2034 (Projected)2,500
-10.2%
-300
Employment Change
-10.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers professionals work across the United States
Showing 12 of 12 locations
California
910 jobs$77,4402.70x
New York
800 jobs$100,3504.53x
North Carolina
260 jobs$49,9802.86x
Texas
120 jobs$33,3000.48x
Florida
60 jobs$65,5700.33x
Mississippi
60 jobs$44,7402.80x
New Jersey
50 jobs$80,8600.59x
Missouri
50 jobs$69,1800.98x
Oregon
50 jobs$62,1201.38x
Pennsylvania
50 jobs$55,8500.47x
Virginia
50 jobs$43,0100.64x
Washington
40 jobs$50,5100.57x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Time Management
86%
#4
Judgment and Decision Making
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Mathematics
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Quality Control Analysis
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Time Management
intermediate4.3
86%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Mathematics
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Mathematics
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Carpenters82%
5 shared skills
Sheet Metal Workers73%
5 shared skills
Upholsterers73%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Inspectors67%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians67%
5 shared skills
Air Traffic Controllers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Time Management
Learn on the Job:
- →Mathematics
- →Monitoring
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (10)Planning & Development (5)Training & Development (1)
1
Test patterns by making and fitting sample garments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Draw details on outlined parts to indicate where parts are to be joined, as well as the positions of pleats, pockets, buttonholes, and other features, using computers or drafting instruments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Determine the best layout of pattern pieces to minimize waste of material, and mark fabric accordingly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes, using charts, drafting instruments, computers, or grading devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Draw outlines of pattern parts by adapting or copying existing patterns, or by drafting new patterns.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Create a paper pattern from which to mass-produce a design concept.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Position and cut out master or sample patterns, using scissors and knives, or print out copies of patterns, using computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Discuss design specifications with designers, and convert their original models of garments into patterns of separate parts that can be laid out on a length of fabric.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Mark samples and finished patterns with information, such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development76% perform84%
10
Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers professionals typically have a RAC Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
AArtistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.93
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.72
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.36
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.35
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.29
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.21
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Dependability
4.7
Integrity
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Innovation
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.1
Persistence
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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