Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Tailors and Dressmakers
Tailors and Dressmakers design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
Table of contents
What they do
Tailors and Dressmakers design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
- Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
- Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- Measure parts such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
- Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts such as sleeves.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Tailors and Dressmakers fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations. They sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
A typical day for a Tailor and Dressmaker will also include:
- Examine tags on garments to determine alterations that are needed.
- Record required alterations and instructions on tags, and attach them to garments.
- Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
- Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.
- Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Tailors and Dressmakers also sew buttonholes and attach buttons to finish garments. They may also put in padding and shaping materials.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Tailors and Dressmakers position patterns of garment parts on fabric, and cut fabric along outlines, using scissors. They might also develop, copy, or adapt designs for garments, and design patterns to fit measurements, applying knowledge of garment design, construction, styling, and fabric.
In addition, they confer with customers to determine the types of material and garment styles desired.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.
To some Tailors and Dressmakers, it is also their responsibility to repair or replace defective garment parts such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Demand for this career is not growing.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Tailors and Dressmakers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $20,940 to $25,570 per year or $10 to $12 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $58,050 | $28 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $44,920 | $22 |
| Median | $32,640 | $16 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $25,570 | $12 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $20,940 | $10 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Tailors and Dressmakers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $62530 | $30.06 |
| General Merchandise Stores | $53480 | $25.71 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $43540 | $20.93 |
| Performing Arts Companies | $41030 | $19.72 |
| Traveler Accommodation | $40770 | $19.60 |
| Other Schools and Instruction | $40210 | $19.33 |
| Specialized Design Services | $39820 | $19.15 |
| Gambling Industries | $39700 | $19.08 |
| Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses | $39400 | $18.94 |
| Other Textile Product Mills | $39380 | $18.93 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Tailors and Dressmakers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Tailors and Dressmakers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing Stores | 6780 | $33990 | $16.34 |
| Drycleaning and Laundry Services | 2900 | $31600 | $15.19 |
| Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | 2700 | $31680 | $15.23 |
| General Merchandise Stores | 1890 | $53480 | $25.71 |
| Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 1290 | $38720 | $18.62 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | 870 | $31700 | $15.24 |
| Specialized Design Services | 640 | $39820 | $19.15 |
| Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers | 420 | $38540 | $18.53 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores | 320 | $33020 | $15.87 |
| Textile Furnishings Mills | 260 | $32830 | $15.78 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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