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Salary comparison

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by $18K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers land at $62,750 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators at $44,650. The education gap is real: fabric and apparel patternmaker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers is New York ($101,230); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$62,750
$44,650
Hourly rate
$30.17/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,790
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$123,540
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
2,950
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
-10.2%
-0.1%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
New York
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers median pay.

State
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
New York
$101,230
$44,580
California
$89,010
$47,720
Pennsylvania
$65,900
$44,160
Indiana
$59,400
$45,550
Missouri
$56,490
$46,480
Oregon
$55,740
$46,910
Ohio
$49,220
$45,720
North Carolina
$48,180
$40,330
Massachusetts
$47,680
$46,720
Virginia
$45,390
$44,900
Mississippi
$41,060
$39,070
Texas
$34,930
$38,320
Florida
$33,790
$38,410

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn more nationally. The median is $62,750 for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators, a difference of $18K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators has the better 10-year outlook at -0.1% projected growth, compared to -10.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers get paid the most?

New York is the top-paying state for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers at $101,230/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn $101,230 vs. $44,580 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by take-home payExplore →How to become a fabric and apparel patternmakersGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →