Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Also called: Pressers
Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
Also called: All-Around Presser, Armhole Presser, Automatic Presser, Blocker, Boarder, Bobbin Presser
Median pay
$35,060
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$27,180 – $43,050
People employed
26,120
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 2.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 3.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 6.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 7.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 8.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (44 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials salary in every state →
What pressers, textile, garment, and related materials do
- 01Hang, fold, package, and tag finished articles for delivery to customers.
- 02Operate steam, hydraulic, or other pressing machines to remove wrinkles from garments and flatwork items, or to shape, form, or patch articles.
- 03Straighten, smooth, or shape materials to prepare them for pressing.
- 04Remove finished pieces from pressing machines and hang or stack them for cooling, or forward them for additional processing.
- 05Finish pleated garments, determining sizes of pleats from evidence of old pleats or from work orders, using machine presses or hand irons.
- 06Lower irons, rams, or pressing heads of machines into position over material to be pressed.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders87% · +43%
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders82% · +33%
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers82% · +18%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders79% · +33%
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic78% · +32%