What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in the U.S. earn more than $41,640 a year — the middle 80% land between $29,920 and $63,670. About 13,920 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$41,640typical pay / year
13,920people in this work
$63,670+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Make2
Assemble garment parts
+Assemble the wedding suit parts for Mr. Patel: join jacket lining to shell with specified hidden hand-stitch,…
Assemble garment parts
+Assemble the wedding suit parts for Mr. Patel: join jacket lining to shell with specified hidden hand-stitch, set shoulder pads, sew sleeves into armholes, attach interfacing and press seams, and leave for final fitting on Saturday morning.
The tools that do the workGarment designjob descriptionsO*NET
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Make garments
+Make the bespoke evening dress for Ms. Alvarez: cut fabric to the toile-approved pattern, baste seams for…
Make garments
+Make the bespoke evening dress for Ms. Alvarez: cut fabric to the toile-approved pattern, baste seams for first fitting, set zips and boning, finish hems with blind stitch, and prepare fitting notes for Thursday's client appointment.
The tools that do the workGarment designESCOjob descriptions
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Fixing1
Trim excess material, using scissors.
+Trim the excess lining and seam allowances from the client's wool jacket with scissors so the hem sits flat…
Trim excess material, using scissors.
+Trim the excess lining and seam allowances from the client's wool jacket with scissors so the hem sits flat and the sleeve length matches the fitted pattern, check fabric grain and clip curves before pressing the cut edges.
The tools that do the workTailor Masterjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work20
Estimate how much a garment will cost to make, based on factors such as time and material requirements.
+Estimate the total cost to make this bespoke wool overcoat for Carlos: list required fabrics, lining,…
Estimate how much a garment will cost to make, based on factors such as time and material requirements.
+Estimate the total cost to make this bespoke wool overcoat for Carlos: list required fabrics, lining, interfacings, thread and buttons with quantities, add cutting and sewing time at my shop rate, subtotal materials, labour, and a 10% contingency, deliver by April 18.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Confer with customers to determine types of material and garment styles desired.
+Meet with Priya tomorrow at 11 to confirm fabric choice, lining colour, sleeve style and final measurements…
Confer with customers to determine types of material and garment styles desired.
+Meet with Priya tomorrow at 11 to confirm fabric choice, lining colour, sleeve style and final measurements for her made-to-measure dress, note any allergies to trims, agree a fitting schedule and the deposit amount so I can start the toile.
The tools that do the workGarment designO*NET
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Put in padding and shaping materials.
+Insert shoulder pads and canvas chest shaping into Mrs. Lopez’s blazer today, match pad density to her fabric…
Put in padding and shaping materials.
+Insert shoulder pads and canvas chest shaping into Mrs. Lopez’s blazer today, match pad density to her fabric weight, bast them in place, press lightly and mark where final hand-stitching will secure them before the evening fitting.
The tools that do the workTailor MasterO*NET
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Let out or take in seams
+Let out the side seams of Javier’s trousers by 1.5 centimetres on each side: unpick the waiststay, loosen…
Let out or take in seams
+Let out the side seams of Javier’s trousers by 1.5 centimetres on each side: unpick the waiststay, loosen seam allowances back to the original basting line, reshape the waistband and pin for a partner fitting Friday at 3pm.
The tools that do the workTailor Masterjob descriptions
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Record alterations and instructions
+Record alterations for the bridal party order: note each bridemaid’s hem and waist changes, insert fabric…
Record alterations and instructions
+Record alterations for the bridal party order: note each bridemaid’s hem and waist changes, insert fabric swatches, list special instructions for beading on dress three, assign deadlines and send the schedule to the shop team by close of business today.
The tools that do the workArbelSoft TailorMaxInventory trackingjob descriptions
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Join parts with basting stitches
+Baste the skirt panels for Ana’s gown together with long running stitches, check alignment of the seams and…
Join parts with basting stitches
+Baste the skirt panels for Ana’s gown together with long running stitches, check alignment of the seams and grain, leave tails for easy removal, then mark the final stitchlines so I can rehearse the hand-finishing tomorrow morning.
The tools that do the workGarment designjob descriptions
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Read and understand size charts and finished measurements
+Read the client's size chart and our finished-measurement table, flag any discrepancies greater than 1.5 cm,…
Read and understand size charts and finished measurements
+Read the client's size chart and our finished-measurement table, flag any discrepancies greater than 1.5 cm, note which measurements came from their online form versus in-shop fitting, and confirm grading rules for shoulder, waist, and hem before cutting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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E-tailoring
+Convert the client's emailed measurements into a production file, map each measurement to the pattern pieces,…
E-tailoring
+Convert the client's emailed measurements into a production file, map each measurement to the pattern pieces, add notes about posture and fit preferences from their message, and prepare a customer-ready confirmation before I draft the block.
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Distinguish fabrics
+Inspect the sample swatches and the client's fabric description, record fibre content, weight and stretch,…
Distinguish fabrics
+Inspect the sample swatches and the client's fabric description, record fibre content, weight and stretch, advise on interlining and seam allowance changes for this cloth, and mark any fabrics I would refuse for the requested style.
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Make technical drawings of fashion pieces
+Draft flat technical drawings for the blouse—front, back and sleeve—with seam lines, stitch type, notch…
Make technical drawings of fashion pieces
+Draft flat technical drawings for the blouse—front, back and sleeve—with seam lines, stitch type, notch positions and exact finished measurements, label button placement and facing construction, and export a print-ready spec sheet for production.
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Make made-to-measure garments
+Cut and assemble the toile from the client's measurements, fit on the mannequin, adjust pattern pieces for…
Make made-to-measure garments
+Cut and assemble the toile from the client's measurements, fit on the mannequin, adjust pattern pieces for posture and ease, record the final alterations to the block, then cut the fashion fabric once I sign off the fitting.
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Sew pieces of fabric
+Sew the jacket shell using specified stitch types, press seams open as I go, attach interfacing and lining,…
Sew pieces of fabric
+Sew the jacket shell using specified stitch types, press seams open as I go, attach interfacing and lining, hand-finish buttonholes and hems, and run a final quality check against the spec sheet before packaging.
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Cut fabrics
+Cut the silk lawn and cotton drill for Priya's summer shirt order to the pattern pieces on the worktable,…
Cut fabrics
+Cut the silk lawn and cotton drill for Priya's summer shirt order to the pattern pieces on the worktable, mark grain and notches, batch six fronts, six backs and twelve sleeves, and label each stack by size before I pin them for sewing tomorrow.
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Distinguish accessories
+Sort the incoming notions box and separate buttons, zips, hooks, and trims for Mr. Khan's coats, check button…
Distinguish accessories
+Sort the incoming notions box and separate buttons, zips, hooks, and trims for Mr. Khan's coats, check button sizes against the coat samples, discard any damaged trims, and make a short list of missing items to buy by Wednesday.
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Manage briefs for clothing manufacturing
+Assemble the production brief for the factory: include Priya's tech drawing, fabric composition, exact…
Manage briefs for clothing manufacturing
+Assemble the production brief for the factory: include Priya's tech drawing, fabric composition, exact measurements for sizes 36–44, seam allowance notes, required trims and delivery date of August 12, and send the pack to procurement with a request for a confirmation reply within two days.
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Use textile technique for hand-made products
+Produce five bespoke linen cushion covers using hand-embroidery and French seams, record stitch types and…
Use textile technique for hand-made products
+Produce five bespoke linen cushion covers using hand-embroidery and French seams, record stitch types and thread colours for each cover, photograph the finished backs for the client gallery, and set aside fabric samples for the archive.
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Alter wearing apparel
+Alter Mrs. Ahmed's wool coat: take in the waist by two inches, shorten sleeves by 1.5 inches keeping original…
Alter wearing apparel
+Alter Mrs. Ahmed's wool coat: take in the waist by two inches, shorten sleeves by 1.5 inches keeping original cuff, reinforce shoulder seams, press and pin for fitting on Thursday, and note the changes on her job card.
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Inventory tracking
+post today's inventory tracking entry for the tailoring table: record three suit jackets completed, fabric…
Inventory tracking
+post today's inventory tracking entry for the tailoring table: record three suit jackets completed, fabric bolts used from the navy lot, and set a reorder reminder for lining fabric when remaining yardage drops under ten meters.
The tools that do the workTailor MasterBookkeepingO*NET
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Inventory tracking
+amend the inventory tracking record for alterations: enter three charcoal suit jackets taken in today, mark…
Inventory tracking
+amend the inventory tracking record for alterations: enter three charcoal suit jackets taken in today, mark ten meters of lining used from stock, and put a reorder notice for lining in black when below five meters.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingO*NET
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Garment design
+Log the Ahmed suit alterations into the garment design record: record original measurements, outline tapering…
Garment design
+Log the Ahmed suit alterations into the garment design record: record original measurements, outline tapering on trousers, note lining change to silk, estimate two days of work, and notify the customer for a Thursday fitting slot.
The tools that do the workTailor MasterO*NET
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses