Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.
Sewers, Hand
SOC: 51-6051 O*NET: 51-6051.00
Median Salary
$33,760
per year
Job Growth
📉 -7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.
What does a Sewers, Hand do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$25,530
10th percentile
Early Career
$29,210
25th percentile
Median
$33,760
50th percentile
Experienced
$38,180
75th percentile
Top Earners
$46,320
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$25,530
25th
$29,210
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$33,760
Mean: $34,810
75th
$38,180
90th
$46,320
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $20,790 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $29,210 and $38,180
- •Salary spread is 26.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 2,240 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:5,400
Top Industries
Manufacturing54%
Retail Trade19.6%
Apparel Manufacturing18.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-7%
Annual Openings:700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)5,400
Current
2034 (Projected)5,000
-7%
-400
Employment Change
-7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Sewers, Hand professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 18 locations
Texas
250 jobs$27,5901.26x
New York
220 jobs$36,2601.58x
Pennsylvania
220 jobs$32,7902.48x
Florida
190 jobs$36,0901.36x
Illinois
170 jobs$34,0001.96x
California
150 jobs$35,5500.58x
Georgia
80 jobs$39,4001.16x
Mississippi
70 jobs$21,1703.89x
Massachusetts
60 jobs$33,4301.11x
North Carolina
60 jobs$33,3100.82x
Missouri
60 jobs$29,7801.31x
Maine
50 jobs$30,1704.88x
Colorado
40 jobs$44,0901.01x
Ohio
30 jobs$28,3900.38x
Indiana
0 jobs$38,7100.00x
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
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#2
Finger Dexterity
100%
#3
Manual Dexterity
92%
#4
Arm-Hand Steadiness
82%
#5
Near Vision
74%
#6
Control Precision
66%
#7
Information Ordering
58%
#8
Category Flexibility
48%
#9
Administration and Management
40%
#10
Visualization
40%
Skills Overview
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Finger Dexterity
advanced5.0
100%
Manual Dexterity
advanced4.6
92%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediate4.1
82%
Near Vision
intermediate3.7
74%
Control Precision
intermediate3.3
66%
Information Ordering
basic2.9
58%
Category Flexibility
basic2.4
48%
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:
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Finger Dexterity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Manual Dexterity
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Near Vision
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Control Precision
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Information Ordering
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Category Flexibility
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Administration and Management
basicImportance40%
knowledge
2.0/5.0
Visualization
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Learn on the Job:
- →Control Precision
- →Information Ordering
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Finger Dexterity
- ✓Manual Dexterity
- ✓Arm-Hand Steadiness
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★Finger Dexterity
- ★Manual Dexterity
- ★Arm-Hand Steadiness
- ★Near Vision
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 Sewers, Hand
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Adobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
📚 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
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡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 high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
11
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)
1
Sew, join, reinforce, or finish parts of articles, such as garments, books, mattresses, toys, and wigs, using needles and thread or other materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Trim excess threads or edges of parts, using scissors or knives.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Select thread, twine, cord, or yarn to be used, and thread needles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Draw and cut patterns according to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Fold, twist, stretch, or drape material, and secure articles in preparation for sewing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Smooth seams with heated irons, flat bones, or rubbing sticks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Measure and align parts, fasteners, or trimmings, following seams, edges, or markings on parts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Use different sewing techniques such as felling, tacking, basting, embroidery, and fagoting.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Sew buttonholes, or add lace or other trimming.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Tie, knit, weave or knot ribbon, yarn, or decorative materials.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •64% 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 Sewers, Hand
💡 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?
Sewers, Hand professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Sewers, Hand
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.54
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.25
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.63
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.62
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.3
Integrity
3.6
Achievement/Effort
3.6
💡 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
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Sewers, Hand.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Sewers, Hand
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
2.3k program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Houston
Houston, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
984 program completions/year
South Florida Institute of Technology
Miami, FL
891 program completions/year
SOWELA Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA
870 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
821 program completions/year
Refrigeration School Inc
Phoenix, AZ
781 program completions/year
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
731 program completions/year
River Parishes Community College
Gonzales, LA
695 program completions/year
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
679 program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
601 program completions/year