Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary in Rochester, NY
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $43,720 a year ($21.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,040 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $41,640. Pay here is 27% lower than the New York statewide median of $60,210. There are 0.10 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,470 | $19.46 |
| 25th percentile | $40,470 | $19.46 |
| Median | $43,720 | $21.02 |
| 75th percentile | $53,310 | $25.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,040 | $27.42 |
| Average (mean) | $46,060 | $22.14 |
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 | $3,643.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,821.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,681.54 |
| Weekly | $840.77 |
| Hourly | $21.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $63,050 | 1,100 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $53,570 | n/a |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $48,580 | 60 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $48,390 | 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 or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $33,580 | $16.14 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $36,100 | $17.36 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,090 | $20.71 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,370 | $23.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Machinist | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,230 | $23.67 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $41,790 | $20.09 |
| Food Batchmaker | $49,180 | $23.65 |
| Baker | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Printing Press Operator | $47,720 | $22.94 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in the Rochester, NY metro area is $43,720 a year, or $21.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $57,040 a year. The top 25% earn $53,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,470 a year, and a quarter of tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earn $40,470 or less.
How many tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers work in Rochester, NY?
About 50 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.