Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
In Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earn $49,230 at the median — $23.67 an hour. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $50,456 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,711/month — about 50% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $49K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K.Top earners bring in $84K or more - a $52K spread from bottom to top.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $57K | +40% | N/A |
| New York | $57K | +40% | 1,400 |
| Maryland | $52K | +27% | 260 |
| Washington | $51K | +25% | 140 |
| Oklahoma | $51K | +24% | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $49K | +21% | 500 |
| Connecticut | $47K | +16% | 180 |
| Hawaii | $47K | +15% | N/A |
| Nevada | $46K | +13% | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $46K | +12% | 490 |
| Oregon | $46K | +12% | 130 |
| New Jersey | $46K | +11% | 710 |
| California | $45K | +11% | 2,240 |
| New Hampshire | $45K | +10% | N/A |
| Arizona | $45K | +10% | 40 |
Track tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $49,230 a year - that works out to about $23.67 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,670, and experienced tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers can clear $83,980. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,282/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 52.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers salary go in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers salary is worth about $50,456 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.