# Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials

> Press or shape articles by hand or machine.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/pressers-textile-garment-and-related-materials
- SOC code: 51-6021.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $35,060 (10th percentile $27,180, 90th percentile $43,050)
- Projected growth: Decline, -15.7%
- Openings a year: 2,200
- Typical entry education: No formal credential
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCA)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 90 |
| Investigative (I) | 8 |
| Artistic (A) | 22 |
| Social (S) | 2 |
| Enterprising (E) | 0 |
| Conventional (C) | 42 |

## What you'd do

- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 73/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 70/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 70/100)
- Getting Information (importance 64/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 59/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 58/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 56/100)
- Scheduling Work and Activities (importance 51/100)
- Assisting and Caring for Others (importance 50/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 46/100)

## Skills

Operation and Control, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring, Time Management, Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Active Learning, Judgment and Decision Making

## Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service, Production and Processing, English Language, Public Safety and Security, Education and Training, Administration and Management, Sales and Marketing, Mathematics, Personnel and Human Resources, Transportation

## Also called

All-Around Presser, Armhole Presser, Automatic Presser, Blocker, Boarder, Bobbin Presser, Brim Presser, Buffing Wheel Presser, Bulk Folder, Calender Machine Operator

## Related careers

- [Sewing Machine Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sewing-machine-operators): $36,670 median pay
- [Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/laundry-and-dry-cleaning-workers): $34,890 median pay
- [Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/shoe-machine-operators-and-tenders): $35,650 median pay
- [Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/paper-goods-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $50,270 median pay
- [Machine Feeders and Offbearers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/machine-feeders-and-offbearers): $41,220 median pay
- [Cutters and Trimmers, Hand](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cutters-and-trimmers-hand): $38,020 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.