Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
SOC: 51-6052 O*NET: 51-6052.00
Median Salary
$40,860
per year
Job Growth
📉 -4.5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
What does a Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$27,110
10th percentile
Early Career
$33,480
25th percentile
Median
$40,860
50th percentile
Experienced
$49,780
75th percentile
Top Earners
$62,490
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$27,110
25th
$33,480
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$40,860
Mean: $44,050
75th
$49,780
90th
$62,490
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $35,380 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $33,480 and $49,780
- •Salary spread is 39.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 16,290 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:38,800
Top Industries
Retail Trade37.3%
Other Services (except Public Administration)32%
Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers29.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-4.5%
Annual Openings:5,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)38,800
Current
2034 (Projected)37,100
-4.5%
-1,700
Employment Change
-4.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 46 locations
California
2,240 jobs$45,3901.17x
Texas
1,840 jobs$35,6001.26x
Florida
1,410 jobs$37,5901.36x
New York
1,400 jobs$57,2801.39x
New Jersey
710 jobs$45,5101.59x
Minnesota
600 jobs$43,4901.95x
South Carolina
550 jobs$34,1002.31x
Pennsylvania
500 jobs$49,2500.79x
Massachusetts
490 jobs$45,7701.27x
Michigan
490 jobs$34,8301.06x
North Carolina
480 jobs$35,4900.92x
Virginia
450 jobs$35,1101.05x
Illinois
360 jobs$38,3400.57x
Missouri
340 jobs$35,1901.10x
Ohio
270 jobs$37,5500.47x
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
Time Management
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
80%
#3
Speaking
60%
#4
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Time Management
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
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:
Time Management
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Tire Repairers and Changers80%
4 shared skills
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers75%
3 shared skills
Painters, Construction and Maintenance75%
3 shared skills
Fence Erectors67%
4 shared skills
Meter Readers, Utilities67%
4 shared skills
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks67%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Time Management
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Critical Thinking
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 Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
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
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Google Docs
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
SOME 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 moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Planning & Development (2)
1
Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts, such as sleeves.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Record required alterations and instructions on tags, and attach them to garments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Examine tags on garments to determine alterations that are needed.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Fit, alter, repair, and make made-to-measure clothing, according to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications and fit, and applying principles of garment design, construction, and styling.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% 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 Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
💡 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?
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers professionals typically have a RAC Holland code and highly value achievement
RRealistic
AArtistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.13
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.06
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.04
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.88
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.85
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.78
Complete Work Styles Profile
Cooperation
4.1
Attention to Detail
4.1
Integrity
4.0
Self-Control
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Achievement/Effort
3.8
Concern for Others
3.8
Independence
3.7
Dependability
3.7
Social Orientation
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 equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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