51
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers is a notable career in the 51 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
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Managers, All Other
11
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
13
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
13
| soc | 51-6052 |
| title | Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers |
| onet code | 51-6052.00 |
| description | Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments. |
| job zone | 2 |
| major group | 51 |
| tot emp | 16,290 |
| a mean | 44,050 |
| a median | 40,860 |
| a pct10 | 27,110 |
| a pct25 | 33,480 |
| a pct75 | 49,780 |
| a pct90 | 62,490 |
| h mean | 21 |
| h median | 19 |
The day-to-day work of a tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers typically centers on measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Time Management, Active Listening, and Critical Thinking. Across the top 4 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.03 out of 5 — moderately weighted for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers, the most common entry qualification is a High School Diploma (57.7%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 9% of incumbents. Most workers enter without a four-year degree, making this a relatively accessible career path.
Median annual pay is highest in District of Columbia at $57,380 and lowest in Kansas at $26,410 — a 2.2× spread. The top five states (District of Columbia, New York, Maryland, Washington, Oklahoma) average $53,676. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $57,380 | $56,740 | $38,430 | $85,150 | — |
| New York | $57,280 | $59,520 | $39,060 | $85,550 | 1,400 |
| Maryland | $52,000 | $49,490 | $37,250 | $52,000 | 260 |
| Washington | $51,010 | $51,940 | $35,880 | $61,410 | 140 |
| Oklahoma | $50,710 | $42,880 | $24,960 | $52,530 | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,250 | $42,830 | $26,000 | $55,910 | 500 |
| Connecticut | $47,360 | $50,050 | $40,040 | $62,930 | 180 |
| Hawaii | $46,990 | $50,210 | $36,920 | $63,580 | — |
| Nevada | $46,020 | $44,600 | $33,990 | $53,970 | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $45,770 | $47,530 | $41,940 | $55,080 | 490 |
| Oregon | $45,690 | $46,550 | $34,340 | $62,920 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $45,510 | $53,860 | $34,290 | $91,500 | 710 |
| California | $45,390 | $52,380 | $37,330 | $80,900 | 2,240 |
| New Hampshire | $44,970 | $48,120 | $35,880 | $66,980 | — |
| Arizona | $44,890 | $43,760 | $38,170 | $47,220 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $43,600 | $41,850 | $32,970 | $44,350 | — |
| Minnesota | $43,490 | $46,190 | $28,600 | $73,080 | 600 |
| Delaware | $43,010 | $41,820 | $33,950 | $47,540 | — |
| Vermont | $41,600 | $38,490 | $28,760 | $43,390 | 30 |
| Utah | $40,570 | $41,500 | $32,570 | $54,040 | 220 |
| Colorado | $39,310 | $44,190 | $29,990 | $60,820 | — |
| Indiana | $39,040 | $52,650 | $33,510 | $130,540 | 260 |
| Wisconsin | $38,640 | $39,240 | $23,260 | $54,600 | 210 |
| Mississippi | $38,480 | $39,280 | $26,460 | $48,750 | 140 |
| Illinois | $38,340 | $43,150 | $30,490 | $63,660 | 360 |
| Alabama | $38,030 | $51,880 | $23,970 | $117,840 | 70 |
| Florida | $37,590 | $38,260 | $26,550 | $50,200 | 1,410 |
| Ohio | $37,550 | $39,160 | $24,360 | $48,610 | 270 |
| Kentucky | $37,400 | $37,940 | $27,950 | $53,460 | 180 |
| Iowa | $36,810 | $37,130 | $29,010 | $44,770 | 60 |
| Montana | $36,030 | $35,570 | $32,250 | $42,740 | — |
| Rhode Island | $35,920 | $37,060 | $30,220 | $43,010 | — |
| Texas | $35,600 | $37,710 | $24,600 | $51,120 | 1,840 |
| North Carolina | $35,490 | $38,880 | $27,020 | $49,650 | 480 |
| Missouri | $35,190 | $35,530 | $25,580 | $50,300 | 340 |
| Virginia | $35,110 | $37,600 | $27,590 | $49,450 | 450 |
| West Virginia | $35,060 | $34,400 | $22,580 | $42,300 | 50 |
| Michigan | $34,830 | $36,710 | $28,500 | $52,900 | 490 |
| Tennessee | $34,510 | $35,300 | $23,660 | $50,540 | 230 |
| South Carolina | $34,100 | $33,160 | $18,660 | $57,060 | 550 |
| Georgia | $32,720 | $35,410 | $19,610 | $54,560 | 230 |
| Arkansas | $31,750 | $34,420 | $27,610 | $44,200 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $29,910 | $31,740 | $24,050 | $43,340 | 230 |
| Nebraska | $29,310 | $31,990 | $24,960 | $42,460 | 140 |
| Idaho | $28,080 | $31,160 | $18,660 | $45,800 | 100 |
| Kansas | $26,410 | $27,310 | $20,920 | $36,110 | 70 |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Alteration Tailor or Alterations and Tailor Shop Fitter frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
This data helps you understand how Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers compares to others in the 51 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
careers with the closest data values to Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.
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