Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Salary by State
The national median pay for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers is $41,640 a year. By state, it ranges from $25,340 in Mississippi to $60,210 in New York.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $29,920
- 25th percentile
- $35,230
- Median
- $41,640
- 75th percentile
- $50,200
- Top 10%
- $63,670
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 13,920 jobs.
Median pay in 41 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $60,210 | +45% | $40,470 | $89,980 | 1,160 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $57,720 | +39% | $36,400 | $84,760 | 80 |
| 3 | Washington | $54,300 | +30% | $39,550 | $70,580 | 100 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $53,680 | +29% | $38,160 | $65,710 | Not published |
| 5 | Colorado | $51,110 | +23% | $30,800 | $64,560 | 160 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $50,470 | +21% | $38,660 | $63,890 | Not published |
| 7 | Nevada | $49,150 | +18% | $25,630 | $63,310 | 100 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $48,310 | +16% | $26,840 | $57,310 | 610 |
| 9 | Missouri | $48,240 | +16% | $28,600 | $58,080 | 200 |
| 10 | Maryland | $48,200 | +16% | $36,820 | $53,680 | Not published |
| 11 | Utah | $48,040 | +15% | $30,540 | $50,940 | 290 |
| 12 | Oregon | $47,450 | +14% | $31,210 | $62,290 | 100 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $46,180 | +11% | $31,320 | $60,970 | 290 |
| 14 | Virginia | $46,060 | +11% | $29,550 | $71,820 | 300 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $45,970 | +10% | $36,350 | $69,210 | 60 |
| 16 | Delaware | $44,450 | +7% | $40,200 | $49,050 | Not published |
| 17 | California | $44,360 | +7% | $35,820 | $64,340 | 2,180 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $43,350 | +4% | $26,930 | $46,800 | Not published |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $43,300 | +4% | $32,970 | $50,330 | 210 |
| 20 | Georgia | $43,260 | +4% | $27,030 | $83,770 | 360 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $43,150 | +4% | $35,650 | $68,190 | 350 |
| 22 | Illinois | $42,330 | +2% | $32,210 | $65,720 | 320 |
| 23 | North Carolina | $41,260 | −1% | $31,110 | $52,670 | 740 |
| 24 | Arizona | $40,360 | −3% | $37,930 | $47,110 | Not published |
| 25 | Connecticut | $40,000 | −4% | $35,460 | $61,200 | 210 |
| 26 | Florida | $39,790 | −4% | $30,450 | $56,200 | 920 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $38,650 | −7% | $24,450 | $43,510 | 170 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $38,380 | −8% | $34,360 | $46,380 | 40 |
| 29 | Michigan | $37,500 | −10% | $32,610 | $56,150 | 280 |
| 30 | Ohio | $37,170 | −11% | $31,600 | $49,930 | 510 |
| 31 | Indiana | $36,450 | −12% | $30,490 | $50,360 | 360 |
| 32 | Texas | $36,260 | −13% | $26,840 | $51,120 | 1,540 |
| 33 | Montana | $34,710 | −17% | $33,330 | $42,850 | 50 |
| 34 | Louisiana | $33,560 | −19% | $25,770 | $50,630 | 250 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $33,030 | −21% | $16,890 | $60,120 | 340 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $32,530 | −22% | $29,710 | $41,700 | 230 |
| 37 | Iowa | $31,680 | −24% | $27,460 | $42,950 | 130 |
| 38 | Alabama | $31,200 | −25% | $20,080 | $111,710 | 90 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $30,990 | −26% | $22,880 | $45,310 | 80 |
| 40 | Kansas | $27,110 | −35% | $19,510 | $39,090 | 40 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $26,300 | −37% | $23,900 | $38,020 | Not published |
| 42 | Mississippi | $25,340 | −39% | $20,060 | $49,860 | 160 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary questions
Which state pays tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers the most?
New York, with a median of $60,210 a year (+45% vs. the national median of $41,640). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $25,340 a year (−39% vs. national).
Where do most tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers work?
California has the most jobs, about 2,180, with a median of $44,360.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.