Sewers (Hand)
O*NET title: Sewers, Hand
Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.
Also called: Alteration Specialist, Apparel Specialist, Bale Sewer, Baseball Hand Sewer, Beadworker, Casing Sewer
Median pay
$36,480
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$27,680 – $47,570
People employed
2,190
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.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 4.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
Sewers (Hand) pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (17 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What sewers (hand) do
- 01Fit garments on clients, altering as needed.
- 02Select thread, twine, cord, or yarn to be used, and thread needles.
- 03Measure and align parts, fasteners, or trimmings, following seams, edges, or markings on parts.
- 04Trim excess threads or edges of parts, using scissors or knives.
- 05Smooth seams with heated irons, flat bones, or rubbing sticks.
- 06Sew, join, reinforce, or finish parts of articles, such as garments, books, mattresses, toys, and wigs, using needles and thread or other materials.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- 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: none.
- 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 sewers (hand)
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers74% · +14%
- Furniture Finishers74% · +22%
- Bakers73% · +2%
- Cutters and Trimmers, Hand73% · +4%
- Carpet Installers72% · +38%
Change into sewers (hand)
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Bakers73% · $37,160
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers69% · $41,600
- Potters, Manufacturing69% · $46,170
- Cooks, Restaurant67% · $37,390
- Floral Designers66% · $37,360