Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Salary Guide 2025: $41,640 Median, -4.5% Growth
The median salary for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in the U.S. is $41,640 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That works out to roughly $20 an hour. The top 10% earn up to $63,670, while the bottom 10% make $29,920 or less. This guide breaks down pay by state, how to get started, and what the next decade looks like for the profession.
How much Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers earn
The national median salary for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers is $41,640, with a mean wage of $45,140. Hourly pay averages about $21.70, though many are paid by the piece or project. The typical range runs from $29,920 at the 10th percentile to $63,670 at the 90th.
- Median annual wage: $41,640
- Mean annual wage: $45,140
- Entry-level (10th percentile): $29,920
- Experienced (90th percentile): $63,670
Pay by state
Where you work dramatically affects earnings. New York tops the list at $60,210, followed by the District of Columbia ($57,720), Washington ($54,300), Hawaii ($53,680), and Colorado ($51,110). On the low end, Kansas pays $27,110, Oklahoma $26,300, and Mississippi $25,340 — as much as $35,000 less than New York.
- Highest: New York ($60,210), D.C. ($57,720), Washington ($54,300), Hawaii ($53,680), Colorado ($51,110)
- Lowest: Kansas ($27,110), Oklahoma ($26,300), Mississippi ($25,340)
How to become Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewer
Most tailors and dressmakers learn on the job or through vocational training. High school courses in sewing and design help. Many attend community college programs in fashion design or tailoring, though a degree isn't required. Apprenticeships with experienced tailors are common. Skills you need include hand and machine sewing, pattern making, fabric knowledge, and customer service. No state license is required, but certification from the Custom Tailors and Designers Association (CTDA) can boost credibility.
- Take high school or community college sewing and design courses.
- Seek an apprenticeship with a tailor or dressmaker (1–5 years typical).
- Practice pattern making, alterations, and garment construction.
- Consider CTDA certification for professional advancement.
Job outlook
Employment is projected to decline 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, as off-the-rack clothing and automated alteration services reduce demand. However, about 5,000 openings each year arise from workers leaving the occupation. Current employment stands at 13,920. Niche markets — bridal, theatrical, luxury bespoke — offer the best prospects.
Frequently asked questions
What is the salary for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in 2025?
The median annual wage is $41,640, with a typical range of $29,920 to $63,670.
How do I become a tailor or dressmaker?
You can learn through on-the-job training, a vocational program, or an apprenticeship. A high school diploma is typical; certification is optional but helpful.
Is the job market for tailors growing or shrinking?
The BLS projects a 4.5% decline in employment from 2024 to 2034, but about 5,000 job openings per year are expected due to turnover.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers data.