Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary in Pennsylvania
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $48,310 a year ($23.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,310 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $41,640. Pennsylvania ranks 8th of 42 states for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers pay. There are 0.10 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,230, close to the median.
Pay range for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,840 | $12.91 |
| 25th percentile | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Median | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| 75th percentile | $56,770 | $27.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,310 | $27.56 |
| Average (mean) | $45,230 | $21.75 |
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 | $4,025.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,012.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,858.08 |
| Weekly | $929.04 |
| Hourly | $23.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $57,020 | 270 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $48,310 | 190 |
| Lancaster, PA | $40,180 | 60 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $29,880 | $14.36 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,580 | $21.92 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $55,960 | $26.90 |
| Upholsterer | $42,860 | $20.61 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Sewers, Hand | $35,560 | $17.09 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,690 | $17.64 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $34,870 | $16.77 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,160 | $21.23 |
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in Pennsylvania is $48,310 a year, or $23.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in Pennsylvania earn at least $57,310 a year. The top 25% earn $56,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,840 a year, and a quarter of tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earn $36,760 or less.
How many tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers work in Pennsylvania?
About 610 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.