51 Series · SOC 51-6092

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$62,750
Median / year
$123,540
Top 10% earn
-10.2%
Growth '23–'33
2,950
US workers

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn a median of $62,750 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $62,750, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $33,790 (10th percentile) to $123,540 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 2,950 US workers. New York pays the most ($101,230), since pay varies by state and metro area.

51 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn a median of $62,750, putting them above the typical US occupation and higher than 53% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Production, it ranks #14 of 105 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 10.2% by 2033.

$62,750
Median annual wage
Top 47%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#14 of 105
in Production
3.7×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: New York at $101,230. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers (SOC 51-6092) pays a national median of $62,750 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $33,790 at the 10th percentile to $123,540 at the 90th, with a mean of $71,420 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 2,950 Americans work in this occupation across 13 reporting states and 6 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a -10.2% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 300 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 3.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.2 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. New York pays the highest state median at $101,230, which is +61% above the national figure. The top metro is New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $101,250 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 2,950 jobs Median $62,750/yr

Median Salary

$62,750

per year

Median Hourly

$30.17/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$71,420

average

Employment

2,950

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$62,750 Top 47% higher than 53% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). This entry sits in this band. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 51-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers sits on the slower-growing side at -10.2% growth and $62,750 median pay.

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers sits on the slower-growing side at -10.2% growth and $62,750 median pay. Scatter plot of 23 data points. $30000$40000$50000$60000$70000$80000 -15%-10%-5%0%5%10% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers sits on the slower-growing side at -10.2% growth and $62,750 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

-10.2%

Declining

Annual Openings

300

per year (projected)

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
B

Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

3.5/100K

Injury Rate

3.2/100

Danger Index

14.6/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Critical Thinking 3.8
Active Listening 3.4
Judgment and Decision Making 3.3
Time Management 3.3
Reading Comprehension 3.1
Speaking 3.1
Mathematics 3.1
Active Learning 3.1
Monitoring 3.1
Quality Control Analysis 3.1

Knowledge Areas

Design 4.2
Mathematics 4.0
English Language 3.9
Production and Processing 3.9
Education and Training 3.4
Engineering and Technology 2.9
Computers and Electronics 2.9
Administration and Management 2.8
Mechanical 2.8
Administrative 2.6

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes, using charts, drafting instruments, computers, or grading devices.
  • ▸ Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.
  • ▸ Draw details on outlined parts to indicate where parts are to be joined, as well as the positions of pleats, pockets, buttonholes, and other features, using computers or drafting instruments.
  • ▸ Make adjustments to patterns after fittings.
  • ▸ Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.
  • ▸ Mark samples and finished patterns with information, such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions.
  • ▸ Draw outlines of pattern parts by adapting or copying existing patterns, or by drafting new patterns.
  • ▸ Test patterns by making and fitting sample garments.
  • ▸ Position and cut out master or sample patterns, using scissors and knives, or print out copies of patterns, using computers.
  • ▸ Create a paper pattern from which to mass-produce a design concept.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$33,790$42,620$62,750$93,930$123,540
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$16.25$20.49$30.17$45.16$59.39
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$33,790

25th Percentile

$42,620

Median

$62,750

75th Percentile

$93,930

90th Percentile

$123,540

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. New York $101,230 2. California $89,010 3. Pennsylvania $65,900 4. Indiana $59,400 5. Missouri $56,490

Lowest Paying States

9. Florida $33,790 10. Texas $34,930 11. Mississippi $41,060 12. Virginia $45,390 13. Massachusetts $47,680
View all 13 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 New York $101,230 +61% above national
2 California $89,010 +42% above national
3 Pennsylvania $65,900 +5% above national
4 Indiana $59,400 5% below national
5 Missouri $56,490 10% below national
6 Oregon $55,740 11% below national
7 Ohio $49,220 22% below national
8 North Carolina $48,180 23% below national
9 Massachusetts $47,680 24% below national
10 Virginia $45,390 28% below national
11 Mississippi $41,060 35% below national
12 Texas $34,930 44% below national
13 Florida $33,790 46% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $101,250 2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $89,010 3. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $85,490 4. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $55,540 5. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC $48,380

Lowest Paying Metros

2. Greensboro-High Point, NC $40,090 3. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC $48,380 4. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $55,540 5. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $85,490 6. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $89,010
View all 6 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $101,250 +61% above national
2 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $89,010 +42% above national
3 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $85,490 +36% above national
4 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $55,540 11% below national
5 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC $48,380 23% below national
6 Greensboro-High Point, NC $40,090 36% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 51 (production) with comparable pay and career paths.

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

SOC 51-9191

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

SOC 51-2011

Bakers

SOC 51-3011

Butchers and Meat Cutters

SOC 51-3021

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

SOC 51-7011
Compare Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers make? ▼
The median annual salary for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers is $62,750 ($30.17/hour). The salary range spans from $33,790 at the 10th percentile to $123,540 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers the most? ▼
New York pays the highest median salary for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers at $101,230/year, which is +61% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers? ▼
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers has a safety grade of B (Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 3.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 3.2 per 100 workers.
Is Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers a good career? ▼
Employment for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers is projected to decline 10.2% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 300 openings are projected each year.
How does Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers pay vary by state? ▼
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is New York at $101,230/year, while Massachusetts pays the least at $47,680/year. BLS data covers 13 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers is New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $101,250/year. BLS reports wage data for 6 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $93,930/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: New York leads at $101,230/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.