# Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

> Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/tailors-dressmakers-and-custom-sewers
- SOC code: 51-6052.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $41,640 (10th percentile $29,920, 90th percentile $63,670)
- Projected growth: Decline, -8.8%
- Openings a year: 3,700
- Typical entry education: No formal credential
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RAC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 81 |
| Investigative (I) | 3 |
| Artistic (A) | 49 |
| Social (S) | 17 |
| Enterprising (E) | 24 |
| Conventional (C) | 36 |

## What you'd do

- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 71/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 64/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 64/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 58/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 56/100)
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (importance 55/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 54/100)
- Getting Information (importance 51/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 51/100)
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (importance 51/100)

## Skills

Time Management, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination

## Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Production and Processing, Administration and Management, Economics and Accounting, Design, Mathematics, Sales and Marketing, Personnel and Human Resources, Administrative

## Also called

Alteration Tailor, Alterations and Tailor Shop Fitter, Alterations and Tailor Shop Sewer, Alterations Associate, Alterations Expert, Alterations Sewer, Alterations Specialist, Alterations Tailor, Appliquer, Bridal Designer

## Related careers

- [Sewers, Hand](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sewers-hand): $36,480 median pay
- [Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/fabric-and-apparel-patternmakers): $62,750 median pay
- [Sewing Machine Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sewing-machine-operators): $36,670 median pay
- [Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/shoe-and-leather-workers-and-repairers): $37,800 median pay
- [Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/pressers-textile-garment-and-related-materials): $35,060 median pay
- [Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/shoe-machine-operators-and-tenders): $35,650 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.