Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
In New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earn $60,320 at the median — $29 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $92K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 112.56), so that salary is closer to $53,589 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,910/month — about 73.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $60K get you in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
About tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Entry-level tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K.Top earners bring in $92K or more - a $57K 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
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers make in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?
The median is $60,320 a year - that works out to about $29 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,510, and experienced tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers can clear $91,500. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,983/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,910/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 73.1% 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City?
New York-Newark-Jersey City has a Regional Price Parity of 112.56 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers salary is worth about $53,589 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.