Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary in Iowa
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in Iowa earn a median of $31,680 a year ($15.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,950 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $41,640. Iowa ranks 37th of 42 states for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers pay. There are 0.08 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,460 | $13.20 |
| 25th percentile | $28,400 | $13.66 |
| Median | $31,680 | $15.23 |
| 75th percentile | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| Average (mean) | $34,280 | $16.48 |
Half of tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,640 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,320 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,218.46 |
| Weekly | $609.23 |
| Hourly | $15.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $38,910 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $60,210 |
| District of Columbia | $57,720 |
| Washington | $54,300 |
| Hawaii | $53,680 |
| Colorado | $51,110 |
| Massachusetts | $50,470 |
| Nevada | $49,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,310 |
| Missouri | $48,240 |
| Maryland | $48,200 |
See Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,050 | $16.37 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $35,870 | $17.25 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $32,990 | $15.86 |
| Upholsterer | $42,610 | $20.49 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $30,060 | $14.45 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $33,730 | $16.21 |
| Sewers, Hand | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $41,740 | $20.07 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-6052. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers make in Iowa?
The median salary for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in Iowa is $31,680 a year, or $15.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in Iowa earn at least $42,950 a year. The top 25% earn $39,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,460 a year, and a quarter of tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earn $28,400 or less.
How many tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers work in Iowa?
About 130 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.