Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in District of Columbia
Want to work as a Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in District of Columbia? Here’s what you need to know. Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
What do Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Make in District of Columbia?
The tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers working in District of Columbia, wages run about $57,380 per year (or about $27.59/hour).Pay can range from $38,430 at the 10th percentile to $85,150 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| 25th percentile | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Median (50th) | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| 75th percentile | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| 90th percentile | $85,150 | $40.94 |
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earn a median of $40,404 per year ($19.43/hour), higher than the District of Columbia median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 860,064 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers across the United States.
Top District of Columbia Metros for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
The largest metro-area employers of tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in District of Columbia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 220 | $37,220 |
Top States for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Employment
These states have the highest employment of tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 2,240 |
| Texas | 1,840 |
| Florida | 1,410 |
| New York | 1,400 |
| New Jersey | 710 |
| Minnesota | 600 |
| South Carolina | 550 |
| Pennsylvania | 500 |
| Michigan | 490 |
| Massachusetts | 490 |
| North Carolina | 480 |
| Virginia | 450 |
| Illinois | 360 |
| Missouri | 340 |
| Ohio | 270 |
| Indiana | 260 |
| Maryland | 260 |
| Georgia | 230 |
| Louisiana | 230 |
| Tennessee | 230 |
Highest-Paying States for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
The highest-paying states for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $57,380 |
| New York | $57,280 |
| Maryland | $52,000 |
| Washington | $51,010 |
| Oklahoma | $50,710 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,250 |
| Connecticut | $47,360 |
| Hawaii | $46,990 |
| Nevada | $46,020 |
| Massachusetts | $45,770 |
Skills
Key tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers typically:
- Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
- Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
- Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
- Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
- Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
- Trim excess material, using scissors.
- Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.
- Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.
- Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts, such as sleeves.
- Repair or replace defective garment parts, such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Thinking Creatively
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Scheduling Work and Activities
- Developing Objectives and Strategies
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Google Docs
Related Careers
Other careers like tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers include:
- Fashion Designers
- Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Also Known As
Alteration Tailor, Alterations Associate, Alterations Expert, Alterations Sewer, Alterations Specialist, Alterations Tailor, Alterations and Tailor Shop Fitter, Alterations and Tailor Shop Sewer, Appliquer, Bridal Designer, Bridal Gown Fitter, Cloth Cutter, Clothing Busheler, Clothing Cutter, Clothing Pattern Designer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-6052.00
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