Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for fabric and apparel patternmakers in the U.S. is $62,750 ($30.17 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $62,750
- Mean annual wage
- $71,420
- Median hourly wage
- $30.17
- Employment
- 2,950
2,950 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| 25th percentile | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Median (50th) | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| 75th percentile | $93,930 | $45.16 |
| 90th percentile | $123,540 | $59.39 |
Highest-paying states for fabric and apparel patternmakers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $101,230 | 670 |
| California | $89,010 | 930 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,900 | 40 |
| Indiana | $59,400 | 50 |
| Missouri | $56,490 | 50 |
| Oregon | $55,740 | 30 |
| Ohio | $49,220 | 30 |
| North Carolina | $48,180 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $47,680 | — |
| Virginia | $45,390 | 40 |
Lowest-paying states
- Florida: $33,790 median annual wage
- Texas: $34,930 median annual wage
- Mississippi: $41,060 median annual wage
- Virginia: $45,390 median annual wage
- Massachusetts: $47,680 median annual wage
About this occupation
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Typical tasks
- Trace outlines of paper onto cardboard patterns, and cut patterns into parts to make templates.
- Test patterns by making and fitting sample garments.
- Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.
- Trace outlines of specified patterns onto material, and cut fabric, using scissors.
- Determine the best layout of pattern pieces to minimize waste of material, and mark fabric accordingly.
- Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 19.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 37.0% |
| Some college, no degree | 14.2% |
| Associate's degree | 8.3% |
| Bachelor's degree | 19.6% |
| Master's degree | 1.0% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.2% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$44,650
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74,450
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$48,570
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$53,750
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43,220
- Machinists$58,750
- Production Workers, All Other$40,110
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$45,850
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.