Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Make?
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers earn a median annual salary of $40,860 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $27,110 at the 10th percentile to $62,490 at the 90th percentile — a range of $35,380. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $57,380.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,110 |
| 25th percentile | $33,480 |
| Median (50th) | $40,860 |
| 75th percentile | $49,780 |
| 90th percentile | $62,490 |
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $57,380 |
| New York | $57,280 |
| Maryland | $52,000 |
| Washington | $51,010 |
| Oklahoma | $50,710 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,250 |
| Connecticut | $47,360 |
| Hawaii | $46,990 |
| Nevada | $46,020 |
| Massachusetts | $45,770 |
| Oregon | $45,690 |
| New Jersey | $45,510 |
| California | $45,390 |
| New Hampshire | $44,970 |
| Arizona | $44,890 |
| New Mexico | $43,600 |
| Minnesota | $43,490 |
| Delaware | $43,010 |
| Vermont | $41,600 |
| Utah | $40,570 |
| Colorado | $39,310 |
| Indiana | $39,040 |
| Wisconsin | $38,640 |
| Mississippi | $38,480 |
| Illinois | $38,340 |
| Alabama | $38,030 |
| Florida | $37,590 |
| Ohio | $37,550 |
| Kentucky | $37,400 |
| Iowa | $36,810 |
| Montana | $36,030 |
| Rhode Island | $35,920 |
| Texas | $35,600 |
| North Carolina | $35,490 |
| Missouri | $35,190 |
| Virginia | $35,110 |
| West Virginia | $35,060 |
| Michigan | $34,830 |
| Tennessee | $34,510 |
| South Carolina | $34,100 |
| Georgia | $32,720 |
| Arkansas | $31,750 |
| Louisiana | $29,910 |
| Nebraska | $29,310 |
| Idaho | $28,080 |
| Kansas | $26,410 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$27,110 – $33,480 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$40,860 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$49,780 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $62,490+ |
How to Earn More as a Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ earn $60,320 — $19,460 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($49,780) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewerthis career | $40,860 |
| Fashion Designer | $80,690 |
| Patternmaker | $54,540 |
| Layout Worker | $61,870 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Worker | $39,820 |
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SOC: 51-6052.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.