Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
Also called: Alteration Tailor, Alterations and Tailor Shop Fitter, Alterations and Tailor Shop Sewer, Alterations Associate, Alterations Expert, Alterations Sewer
Median pay
$41,640
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$29,920 – $63,670
People employed
13,920
Holland code
RAC
Realistic · Artistic · Conventional
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.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 2.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (41 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary in every state →
What tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers do
- 01Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
- 02Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
- 03Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- 04Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
- 05Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
- 06Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
- Economics and Accounting
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: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
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 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers74% · 0%
- Carpet Installers73% · +21%
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers72% · +26%
- Furniture Finishers70% · +7%
- Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing70% · group pay
Change into tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Floral Designers76% · $37,360
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers70% · $41,600
- Barbers67% · $38,210
- Gem and Diamond Workers65% · $52,540
- Craft Artists64% · $46,080