Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in the United States was $41,640 ($20.02 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,920 | $14.38 |
| 25th | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Median | $41,640 | $20.02 |
| 75th | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| 90th | $63,670 | $30.61 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-6052
- Total U.S. employment: 13,920
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
How to interpret these figures
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $29,920, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $63,670 — a 2.1x gap between entry-level and top earners.
The mean wage of $45,140 sits 8.4% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $31,200 | $15.00 | -25.1% | 90 |
| Arizona | $40,360 | $19.40 | -3.1% | 0 |
| Arkansas | $30,990 | $14.90 | -25.6% | 80 |
| California | $44,360 | $21.33 | +6.5% | 2,180 |
| Colorado | $51,110 | $24.57 | +22.7% | 160 |
| Connecticut | $40,000 | $19.23 | -3.9% | 210 |
| Delaware | $44,450 | $21.37 | +6.7% | 0 |
| District of Columbia | $57,720 | $27.75 | +38.6% | 80 |
| Florida | $39,790 | $19.13 | -4.4% | 920 |
| Georgia | $43,260 | $20.80 | +3.9% | 360 |
| Hawaii | $53,680 | $25.81 | +28.9% | 0 |
| Idaho | — | — | — | 110 |
| Illinois | $42,330 | $20.35 | +1.7% | 320 |
| Indiana | $36,450 | $17.52 | -12.5% | 360 |
| Iowa | $31,680 | $15.23 | -23.9% | 130 |
| Kansas | $27,110 | $13.03 | -34.9% | 40 |
| Kentucky | $32,530 | $15.64 | -21.9% | 230 |
| Louisiana | $33,560 | $16.14 | -19.4% | 250 |
| Maryland | $48,200 | $23.17 | +15.8% | 0 |
| Massachusetts | $50,470 | $24.27 | +21.2% | 0 |
| Michigan | $37,500 | $18.03 | -9.9% | 280 |
| Minnesota | $46,180 | $22.20 | +10.9% | 290 |
| Mississippi | $25,340 | $12.19 | -39.1% | 160 |
| Missouri | $48,240 | $23.19 | +15.9% | 200 |
| Montana | $34,710 | $16.69 | -16.6% | 50 |
| Nebraska | $38,380 | $18.45 | -7.8% | 40 |
| Nevada | $49,150 | $23.63 | +18.0% | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $45,970 | $22.10 | +10.4% | 60 |
| New Jersey | $43,150 | $20.75 | +3.6% | 350 |
| New Mexico | $43,350 | $20.84 | +4.1% | 0 |
| New York | $60,210 | $28.95 | +44.6% | 1,160 |
| North Carolina | $41,260 | $19.84 | -0.9% | 740 |
| Ohio | $37,170 | $17.87 | -10.7% | 510 |
| Oklahoma | $26,300 | $12.65 | -36.8% | 0 |
| Oregon | $47,450 | $22.81 | +14.0% | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,310 | $23.23 | +16.0% | 610 |
| South Carolina | $33,030 | $15.88 | -20.7% | 340 |
| Tennessee | $38,650 | $18.58 | -7.2% | 170 |
| Texas | $36,260 | $17.44 | -12.9% | 1,540 |
| Utah | $48,040 | $23.09 | +15.4% | 290 |
| Virginia | $46,060 | $22.14 | +10.6% | 300 |
| Washington | $54,300 | $26.11 | +30.4% | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $43,300 | $20.82 | +4.0% | 210 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Driver/Sales Workers — $38,770/yr
- Billing and Posting Clerks — $48,500/yr
- Bus Drivers, School — $47,920/yr
- Counter and Rental Clerks — $41,300/yr
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants — $32,150/yr
- Marketing Managers — $166,790/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers?
The median annual wage for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers is $41,640 ($20.02 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 13,920 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $20.02. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.